RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Residents living on a Southern California peninsula, where persistent landslides have caused significant damage to homes and service disruptions, now have the opportunity to take part in a $42 million voluntary buyout program initiated by state and federal entities.
The announcement came during a dedicated town hall meeting held for the affected community members of Rancho Palos Verdes, who have been struggling with the challenges of unstable ground conditions on their properties. The funding for this initiative is sourced from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
“This buyout initiative presents a realistic option for our most at-risk community members, enabling them to move and rebuild with substantial financial assistance,” stated Mayor John Cruikshank of Rancho Palos Verdes.
In the last two years, more than 250 homes in this southern Los Angeles city have been impacted by land instability and utility outages.
Residents report spending upwards of $100,000 while attempting to buttress their foundations, transition to off-grid solar systems, and modify their natural gas lines to use propane instead.
The allocation of FEMA funds came on the heels of a disaster declaration by federal authorities, triggered by heavy winter storms in January and February that exacerbated the landslide conditions, according to reports.
This voluntary program aims to aid qualifying homeowners in relocating to more stable areas by providing compensation based on pre-disaster valuations of their properties. The city will permanently designate acquired properties as open spaces, effectively restricting them from future development and safeguarding the community from similar dangers in the future.
Landslides in this region are now part of a broader pattern of extreme weather-related disasters plaguing California, an area already grappling with intensifying wildfires and fluctuating weather, which has ranged from scorching heat to severe rains, leading to floods and mudslides.
Within Rancho Palos Verdes, complete homes have either collapsed or sustained severe structural damage. Shifting walls and large cracks have formed in the ground, leading to evacuation alerts, while numerous residents are left without electricity and gas. Some areas are also experiencing temporary water service interruptions as crews work to repair sewer lines.
Decades earlier, nearly 70 years ago, the Portuguese Bend landslide was set off when a road was constructed through a region resting on an ancient landslide. This incident led to the destruction of 140 homes, and since then, the land has continued to shift.
However, the formerly gradual landslides have dramatically quickened pace in the aftermath of relentless rains pounding Southern California over the past couple of years. Where the land used to shift a few inches annually, it is now moving at rates of 9 to 12 inches (22.8 to 30.48 centimeters) every week.
Homeowners eager to take part in the buyout program must arrange for a voluntary property inspection from city officials by the deadline of Monday, Nov. 4, and submit their completed applications by Nov. 8. Selection for the program will prioritize properties based on crucial factors like safety issues, structural integrity, and utility status.
