Power Outages Hit Rancho Palos Verdes as Land Shifts

In Rancho Palos Verdes, land movement near the oceanside cliffs has led to significant power outages affecting numerous homes. Southern California Edison announced that an additional 54 homes will lose power starting Monday at 6 p.m., joining around 170 other homes already without electricity, including 140 in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood. The outages are a precautionary measure due to safety concerns stemming from the shifting land, which has been moving at rates of up to a foot per week. The situation has escalated to the point where both power and gas services have been cut off in certain areas for safety reasons. Recent geological hazard surveys prompted SoCalGas to shut off service to 29 homes in the Seaview neighborhood and 25 in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club area. This decision followed a gas line break that occurred on Exultant Drive, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures in the region. Residents are facing not only power outages but also disruptions to cable television and internet services, as Cox Communications plans to disconnect service to 146 customers in the Portuguese Bend Community Association. The city has responded by providing charging stations for electronic devices at the Ladera Linda Community Center, available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Despite evacuation warnings, some residents have chosen to remain in their homes, raising concerns about their safety. The ongoing land shifts and infrastructure damage pose increasing challenges for local officials, first responders, and utility companies, as they work to manage the crisis and ensure the safety of the community.