Residents of a city in California affected by landslides are set to receive financial assistance after the local council allocated funds for relief efforts. In response to worsening landslides that have caused damage to homes and disruptions to utility services, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has earmarked $2.8 million from a $5 million grant from LA County. This financial aid, amounting to as much as $10,000 per household, will be provided to residents in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood facing hardship due to the landslides and utility shutoffs.
Mayor John Cruikshank expressed that the emergency grants aim to provide immediate support to those impacted by the land movement and utility disruptions, helping them meet essential expenses such as home repairs and temporary accommodation. The funding will be directed towards properties most severely affected by the landslides and utility outages, estimated to be around 280 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes. However, many residents have indicated that their costs could reach up to $100,000 as they work to reinforce foundations, transition to off-grid solar power, and convert gas lines to propane in the aftermath of the landslides.
These landslides add to the series of challenges faced by California, which has been grappling with increasingly severe wildfires and erratic weather patterns ranging from scorching heatwaves to heavy rains triggering floods and mudslides over the past year. In Rancho Palos Verdes, numerous homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, with walls shifting and significant cracks appearing on the ground. Evacuation advisories are in place, and sections of the community have been left without power, gas, and in some cases, water due to necessary repairs.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last month in response to the situation. While the allocated funds are primarily for Rancho Palos Verdes residents, neighbouring cities like Rolling Hills have also been affected, with approximately 50 households experiencing utility service disruptions due to land movements. The community continues to face challenges as authorities work to address the impacts of the landslides and provide support to those in need of assistance.