Approximately 140 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes, a coastal Southern California city, had their power cut off due to worsening landslides triggering evacuation warnings and gas service shutoff. The power was disconnected indefinitely by Southern California Edison to prevent equipment from igniting wildfires. Evacuation plans were prompted by city officials, although they were not mandatory. Residents were advised to limit water and plumbing use as generators are keeping the sewer system running. The land movement in the area has been increasing since the 1950s and has intensified due to heavy rains and climate change.
Authorities are working on voluntary home inspections instead of tagging homes as uninhabitable. Residents expressed frustration at the short warning and the need to find alternative housing. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn urged state support for the emergency situation, noting that the land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes is significant and damaging. The Wayfarers Chapel has been temporarily closed since February due to accelerated land movement caused by rains.
Geologists have been monitoring the area since gas service was shut off last month due to new and unprecedented land movement. The city is working with utility partners to restore gas service once the situation is more manageable. Mayor John Cruikshank emphasized the importance of safety measures, while officials stress the need for state assistance in dealing with the ongoing emergency.
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