Massive landslide destroys homes, prompts evacuations in Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood of Los Angeles County

A massive landslide remains a threat to multiple homes in the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles County, and several have been "completely destroyed," according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. 

The landslide forced a rapid evacuation of 12 homes in neighborhood late Saturday night and the land beneath them continues to give way. Officials expect homes in the gated community, south of downtown Los Angeles, to continue crumbling due to the constant movement of the land beneath them. 

During the initial investigation, which started Saturday afternoon, crews located cracks in several of the homes. 

Sixteen residents were given about 20 minutes to pack up and evacuate that night. Weber Yen was among them, and lost his home of 13 years.

"I'm still trying to recover from the shock," Yen told CBS News. "The second floor is now the first floor. Very sad, very sad. A big loss."

Video posted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department on Sunday showed visible damage to houses and large gaps in the ground below.

HOMES THREATENED by sliding hillside | FS106 | Pear Tree Ln #RollingHillsEstates | #LACoFD units were on scene monitoring situation. 12 homes evacuated. pic.twitter.com/ruXIhKD82m

— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) July 9, 2023

It remains unclear when the land began to give way. Geologists will be surveying the land to determine the cause. 

"It's land movement, and the land movement could be based on the excessive rains we had, or it could be some other thing that we're not aware of yet," said Pete Goodrich with the Los Angeles County Department of Building and Safety. 

"You can hear it, it's 'snap, crackle, pop' every minute that you're walking by these homes as each rod and garage and roof are moving and cracking and falling," Hahn said a a news conference Monday. "It's happening very quickly."

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department patrols will monitor the area "to ensure the evacuated homes are secure," Hahn said. 

The 12 affected homes have been red-tagged. 

"They've moved almost 20 feet since last night, and homes that I saw last night are now gone," Hahn said Monday.

"There's nothing we can do to prevent any more movement. Everyone is pretty much in a wait-and-see mode. We're waiting for all these homes to just meet their final resting spot somewhere in the ravine below," she continued.

Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis said Monday afternoon that 10 houses were actively moving, and another 16 were being monitored but had not required evacuation, The Associated Press reported.

The street was blocked off and electricity in the area was turned off. Gas crews dug up the road and were investigating any potential threats to the system or other homes. 

"I guess there is a bigger picture for the homes in the area. A lot of them are situated on a similar type of landscaping. But for now, it is great to see all of the community resources mobilized to help these people and we just hope they are OK," said Nicholas Riegels, a Rolling Hills Estates resident. 

The street was blocked off and electricity in the area was turned off. Gas crews dug up the road and were investigating any potential threats to the system or other homes. 

"It's moving quickly," Hahn said. "There's nothing to do to stop it, and it's the most shocking, surreal thing I have ever seen, and I know the families that live there are devastated." 

Rolling Hills Estates is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. 

In:
• Los Angeles

KCAL-News Staff

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