Residents of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, are facing a new challenge as Southern California Edison (SCE) announced plans to indefinitely shut off electricity to 135 homes affected by an ongoing landslide.
According to KTLA, the power outage, scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 1, at 12 p.m., has prompted city officials to issue an evacuation warning for the impacted areas.
The decision to cut power comes just a month after gas services were terminated in the same neighborhood due to the persistent land movement.
Mayor John Cruikshank expressed concern about the escalating situation, noting that the city's sewage system relies on electricity, potentially creating sanitation and health issues for residents who remain in their homes.
The sudden announcement of the power shut-off has left many residents feeling frustrated and unprepared. Justin Monzon, a local resident, shared his reaction to the news: "The overwhelming sensation when I first read the email from Edison was frustration."
Monzon added that the announcement came "indefinitely and with no warning to sufficiently prepare," echoing the sentiments of many neighbors who have been pleading for assistance as the landslide problem has worsened over time.
Despite the evacuation warning and offers for alternative housing, some residents, like Monzon, are reluctant to leave their homes. The emotional attachment to their properties and the disruption to daily life are significant factors in their decision-making process.
Southern California Edison has emphasized that the decision to disconnect power was not made lightly. Reggie Kumar, a spokesperson for the utility company, explained the rationale behind the shut-off:
At this point, land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power to 140 residential customers indefinitely.
Kumar further elaborated that recent events, including a sewage spill and a fire near Narcissa Drive, have demonstrated the inability to mitigate public safety risks due to the ongoing land movement. The continuous damage to electrical equipment has forced SCE to prioritize public safety over service continuity.
In response to the evolving situation, Mayor Cruikshank has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the power shut-off and its implications. The meeting will take place before a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, allowing officials to discuss immediate actions and long-term solutions for affected residents.
The city has also taken steps to provide support for those impacted by the evacuation warning. Starting Sunday at 11 a.m., the Ladera Linda Community Center will be available to assist residents in need of emergency services. City officials are advising evacuees to bring essential documents, medications, and photo documentation of their homes for insurance purposes.
The Rancho Palos Verdes community is grappling with a complex emergency as the ongoing landslide forces utility shutoffs and evacuation warnings. The indefinite power outage presents significant challenges for residents, particularly concerning sanitation and daily life.
City officials are working to address the crisis through emergency meetings and support services, while SCE maintains that the shut-off is necessary for public safety. Residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential long-term displacement as the situation unfolds.
