Southern California Gas Co. announced that natural gas service will be discontinued to 135 homes in the Portuguese Bend area of Rancho Palos Verdes, California due to the deteriorating conditions caused by a long-running landslide. The gas company stated that there is significant strain on its infrastructure in the affected area, where the land is moving as much as 9 inches per week. The decision to shut off natural gas service was made to ensure public safety in the face of this dynamic situation.
In response to the unexpected disruption in service, the company is offering $2,500 to each account holder to assist with immediate needs like laundry and meals. With the ongoing landslide damaging houses, roads, and utilities in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood, there is no estimated timeline for when the natural gas service will be restored. The area is known for ancient landslides, and the land movement in spring 2023 has increased significantly following heavy winter rains, with water believed to be contributing to the earth’s lubrication.
The recent escalation of earth movement in the area led to the dismantling of the iconic Wayfarers Chapel earlier this year to prevent its destruction. Efforts are now underway to potentially reconstruct the chapel in a different location. The residents in the affected area are urged to take the necessary precautions and cooperate with authorities as safety measures are implemented amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the landslide.
