Residents of a coastal California town are expressing their frustration and anger after suddenly losing access to essential utilities.
This disruption has forced many to evacuate due to unsafe land conditions. Locals have vocalized their dismay, with one resident notably saying, “They’ve abandoned us!”
Gas and Power Severed in Affluent Retirement Community
In Rancho Palos Verdes, a town known for its affluent retirees, utilities were abruptly cut, leaving residents in a precarious situation.
Gas service was terminated to 135 homes at the beginning of August, and by Sunday, both the power and water supplies were also disconnected, leaving the community scrambling to cope with these sudden changes.
An Indefinite Cut-Off for Some
In this latest power cut, 20 households have had their power cut off indefinitely because they are located in areas with the “worst damage.”
An SCE spokesperson, Reggie Kumar, said: “We are adding a new line outside the current landslide complex to connect these properties, which are fed through some of the worst fissures in the area.
Power Cuts Taking Over the Area
The news of the power cut in Rancho Palos Verdes came just 12 hours after 140 households had their power shut off in the Portuguese Bend Community Association.
Larry Chung with Southern California Edison said: “Edison never wants to turn off the power to a customer unless it is absolutely necessary. In this case, it is absolutely necessary.”
Calls for Governor Newsom’s Intervention
The escalating situation has prompted calls for California Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene as more homes face power outages.
Residents, including Nikki Noushkam, are distressed, with Noushkam stating, “I have no idea where in the hell I’m going,” and questioning, “Why do you think it’s ok to ignore us? We have lost everything and we are not rich, we are working professionals.”
Repeated Landslides Threaten Homes
Since torrential rains last spring, the area has been plagued by landslides, which were exacerbated by additional storms in February, causing considerable land movement.
These natural disasters have resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of homes, compounding the residents’ challenges.
A Year-Long Problem
The current cut-off has been a long time coming. City leaders declared a local emergency due to land movement last year.
The movements caused some streets to crack and some homes were shifting off their foundations.
Damage to Beloved Buildings
Not only are residents affected by land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes, but beloved monuments to the area are also impacted.
In February, the famous Wayfarer’s Chapel had no choice but to close its doors due to the damage the landslides caused.
A Real Risk to Residents
Chung said the land movement in the Portuguese Bend community left SoCal Edison with no choice but to cut off the power.
They had to disconnect the power to prevent equipment from starting a wildfire.
Safety Concerns Prompt Power Disconnection
Southern California Edison decided to disconnect power indefinitely due to safety concerns arising from ongoing land movement.
David Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, explained, “At this point land movement has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely.”
Last-Minute Notifications Frustrate Residents
Residents received very short notices regarding the utility cutoffs, which added to the stress and uncertainty.
Mike Hong shared his experience with the LA Times, saying, “They are giving us even less time than the gas company. Don’t abandon us. Where’s the humanity in this?”
Urgent Evacuation Orders for Elderly Residents
The elderly population, which makes up over a quarter of the town’s residents, received urgent evacuation orders.
The city has advised them to avoid using water or plumbing following the power shutoff to prevent sewer spills and to prepare for evacuation by packing necessary items and making arrangements for pets and animals.
Discrepancy Between Town’s Wealth and Residents’ Reality
While Rancho Palos Verdes is often perceived as a wealthy area, many residents feel neglected and at risk.
Craig Cadwallader expressed to CBS News, “Everybody must assume that everybody who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes is infinitely wealthy and that is not the case, especially for me. So I literally don’t know where I’m going.”
County Increases Funding for Disaster Response
In response to the crisis, County Supervisor Janice Hahn has allocated an additional $5 million in county funds to aid in the disaster response, calling on Governor Newsom for further assistance.
She emphasized the scale of the emergency at a news conference, saying, “There is no playbook for an emergency like this one.”
Bearing the Brunt Alone
Hahn said the issue warrants the government getting involved because the scale of the disaster is too large for local communities to handle alone.
“This is bigger than Rancho Palos Verdes. This land movement is so gigantic and so damaging that one city or one homeowner’s association should not have to bear this burden alone,” Hahn said.
Continued Power Cuts as Land Movement Worsens
Southern California Edison has scheduled further power cuts due to accelerated land movement damaging their electrical equipment.
This ongoing instability leaves the timeline for restoring power uncertain, causing continued distress among affected residents.
SoCal Edison Applauded by Fire Department
Despite the precarious situation for residents, Chief Anthony Marrone, with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, commended SoCal Edison for their decision.
“From a public safety standpoint, Southern California Edison is doing the right thing because our number one priority is not only resident and community safety but also the safety of our first responders,” said Marrone.
Sheriff Steps Up Security Amid Looting Concerns
In response to the potential threat of looting in the increasingly abandoned town, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna has increased security measures.
He warned potential thieves, saying, “We are ready to arrest you, and you are going to go to jail if you come here to steal anything. Do not think about it.”
Extra Measures in Place
Luna promised to maintain order in the community.
The sheriff said he would employ a fleet of drones to patrol the neighborhood and warned thieves against targeting abandoned homes.
Calls for Resilience
Despite Luna’s stern warning to residents not to steal, he seemed unsure how to handle the situation.
“I do look at the residents here, and I don’t even know what to say. I hope it doesn’t come down to [evacuation], but you’ve got to be ready at a minute’s notice. If and when that order comes, please be ready to roll with that,” said Luna.
Community Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the dire circumstances, the community of Rancho Palos Verdes shows resilience and unity as they face these challenges together.
Residents continue to support each other, sharing resources and information, as they adapt to their new realities and seek solutions amidst ongoing uncertainty and disruptions.
Locals Refusing to Leave
While some residents heeded the warning of local officials, others refused to leave.
Neighbors are banding together to install generators and sewer systems. They are even using pumps to expel the groundwater causing the landslides.
Moving Off-Grid
The Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes, John Cruikshank, said communities like Portuguese Bend will have to stay off-grid to survive.
“The forces of nature sometimes are much more than we know how to control or have the ability to control. We’re still searching for engineering solutions,” said Cruikshank.
Locals Remaining Loyal to Rancho Palos Verdes
Due to land movement, fissures and air pockets in the road are tripping up horses, hikers, and mountain bikers.
Jackie Golison, a resident, echoed the sentiments of many other locals who refuse to leave Rancho Palos Verdes. “We are still living in [their house]. We just built it and put every dime we have into it,” said Golison.
