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140 Rancho Palos Verdes have power shut off due to landslide issues; evacuation warnings issued

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Updated  September 2, 2024 9:20pm PDT
Rancho Palos Verdes
FOX 11

Power shut-offs in effect for RPV homes

Officials said 140 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes have had their power shut off due to land movement.

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. - Southern California Edison shut off power to 140 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes amid concerns about safety in the neighborhood over increasing land movement. Evacuation warnings have been issued in the area.

The move comes weeks after many of the same homes had their gas service shut down. At that time, residents in the Portuguese Bend Community were warned that power shut-offs could follow. On Saturday, community members received notice from SoCal Edison saying the power would shut off starting at noon Sunday.

In a statement to FOX 11, SoCal Edison spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy said the power shutoffs would be "indefinite."

Land movement cutting power to RPV homes

The ongoing land movement crisis is forcing more homes in Rancho Palos Verdes to have their power cut off.

Rancho Palos Verdes officials talk power shut-offs

Southern California Edison has shut off power to 140 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes due to concerns over land movement. Officials with the city, county and SoCal Edison provide updates on the response and the decision to shut off the power.

Residents like Tom Keefer, who spoke to FOX 11 by phone while on vacation over the Labor Day weekend, believe the electrical system in the community poses no danger. Keefer was also frustrated by how little notice the community was given.

"Our neighborhood is safe, and now all we're doing is scrambling," Keefer said. "I'm buying a generator as we speak. I just placed a contract for an electric solar system. I have no choice."

SoCal Edison said the decision to cut the power came down to a recent fire caused by the shifting land.

"There was a fire last week, and that fire was caused by a downed electrical line," said Dunleavy. "The downed electrical line came down because of land movement, demonstrating the extreme risk that exists within this community right now. This is an unprecedented natural disaster that's going on right here. You know, I don't think we've ever seen anything like this."

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Rancho Palos Verdes homes have power cut

SoCal Edison has cut off power to 140 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes. Gas was shut off to homes just weeks ago. Officials are urging residents to be ready to evacuate.

Evacuation Warnings

With the planned shut-offs, officials have declared evacuation warnings in portions of the Portuguese Bend Community.

The affected zones are:

  • RPV-E0160
  • RPV-E0155-A
  • RPV-E0155-B
  • RPV-E0150

Community members can find out if their home is subject to the evacuation warnings by going to pvpready.gov/find-your-zone/. A map of the area is also below.

The city told residents to prepare to evacuate and to pack important documents and medications.

"Start preparing to leave," the city said in a statement. "If you have animals, children or need additional time evacuating, this is the time to leave." 

The city also warned residents to not use their water after the power is shut off, because it could result in a sewer spill.

An emergency center has also been established at the Ladera Linda Community Center at 32201 Forrestal Drive. The emergency center will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 

A press conference about the land movement emergency is also scheduled to take place at the Community Center at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Last weekend, the city said it had suffered its "first significant break" in sewer infrastructure, when the land movement caused an approximately 10,000-gallon sewer spill along Palos Verdes Drive South near Narcissa Drive.

More updates from the city can be found by tapping or clicking here.