Have questions about land movement?

Media Inquiries

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City's communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions, at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.

Updates 11-15-23

November 14 City Council Meeting

At the November 14, 2023 meeting, the City Council voted to extend both the local emergency declaration and the building moratorium that were put in place on October 3 to bolster the City’s response to accelerated movement in the landslide complex. Both require renewal to stay in effect long-term.

The moratorium on new construction in the landslide complex has been approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and is now enforceable. It will be in place through October 2, 2024. The maximum the moratorium could be in effect if it were to be extended multiple times would be two years.

The local emergency declaration goes up for renewal every 60 days, so it is now in place through January 13, 2024. Because the first meeting in 2024 is likely to be canceled, the Council will consider extending it at the final City Council meeting of 2023 on December 19. Meeting information will be shared in a future update.

Last night’s discussion included a presentation from the City’s geologist on historical and recent activity in the landslide complex. City Staff also gave updates on short-term mitigation measures, including dewatering wells, filling fissures, Cal Water’s installation of temporary, above-ground water pipes in a portion of Seaview, and other infrastructure repairs and upgrades.

Watch a recording of the discussion on the City website.

In addition to extending the local emergency declaration and the building moratorium, the Council directed the City Manager to send a letter to the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) stressing the importance to expedite mitigation measures and voted to send a follow-up letter to the California State Controller’s Office regarding KCLAD to help expedite response efforts.

New GIS Map

The City has created new interactive geographic information system (GIS) map with the boundaries of the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, the Abalone Cove Landside Abatement District (ACLAD), and the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD).

To view the map, visit: rpvca.gov/landslidemap

When viewing the map, click on the Map Layers icon in the upper right-hand corner, then click on the triangle symbol next to the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex layer to expand a dropdown menu with additional layers for the ACLAD and KCLAD.

Enter an address in the search bar in the upper left-hand corner of the map to see if it falls within the boundaries of the landslide complex, the ACLAD, or KCLAD.

Please note that you may be erroneously prompted to log in to view the map. If this happens, simply refresh the browser page and the prompt should go away. Our GIS vendor is working to resolve this issue.

Sandbags Available

Need sandbags to protect your property against runoff?
 
The City provides empty sandbags and sand for RPV residents to fill and make as needed.
 
Unfilled sandbags are located at the City Hall info desk and are available during regular business hours (7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday). There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household with valid ID or proof of residency. Fill sand is located at City Hall in a designated area for residents to use. Please bring your shovels and tools as they are not provided.
 
If you need additional bags, they can be purchased at local hardware stores. For sandbag placement tips, please visit: ow.ly/yh0O50H9HuC

Update 11-10-23

Out of an abundance of caution, the City has temporarily closed about one mile of additional trail segments in the Portuguese Bend Reserve due to the potential for hazardous natural conditions, including rock falls, associated with increased land movement that has been observed in the greater Portuguese Bend Landslide area. 

The additional closures include portions of Peppertree Trail and Ishibashi Farm Trail. See updated map below depicting all trail closures in Portuguese Bend Reserve.

• Download Portuguese Bend Reserve Trail Closures Map (PDF)

As a reminder, these temporary closures have been implemented based on recommendations from the City's geologist, Cotton Shires and Associates. These trails are closed until further notice for public safety due to the potential for hazardous natural conditions associated with the active landslide, such as land movement, sink holes, unstable trails and surfaces, erosion, steep cliffs, and falling rocks. 

The City is working with geologists and its land co-managers, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, and state and federal wildlife agencies, on solutions to restore public access, ensure public safety, and protect natural resources. 

Thank you for your patience. For the latest updates on the status of trail closures, visit rpvca.gov/trailalerts.

For more information, please contact the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Recreation and Parks Department at trails@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5260.

Land Movement Update: November 14 City Council Meeting

On November 14, 2023, the City Council will consider renewing the local emergency declaration and building moratorium that were put in place on October 3, 2023 to bolster the City’s response to accelerated movement in the landslide complex. 

The Council will consider extending the local emergency declaration to January 13, 2024, and extending the moratorium in the landslide complex to October 2, 2024. The moratorium was approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on November 6 and is now enforceable. 

Staff will also provide an update on various activities and solutions to address the land movement since the local state of emergency was declared. A staff report with more information is available on the City website.

Meeting Info

The City Council meeting will take place on November 14 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live at rpvca.gov or on Cox 33/FiOS 38.
  
Share your thoughts on this topic with the City Council before the meeting by emailing them to cc@rpvca.gov. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

Update 10-27-23

Earlier this month, the City Council declared a local state of emergency to bolster the City’s response to accelerated movement in the landslide complex. The Council also put a moratorium in place prohibiting new construction that may contribute to land movement.

As the City continues to closely monitor the movement and work on short-term solutions, both the local emergency declaration and the moratorium are due to be considered for renewal in the coming weeks. At a special meeting on November 14, 2023, the City Council will consider extending the local emergency declaration to January 13, 2024, and extending the building moratorium to October 2, 2024.

More information about the meeting and how to participate will be shared in a future update. A staff report about this topic will be published on the City website at rpvca.gov/agendas on November 7, 2023. In the meantime, a Public Hearing Notice (PDF) about the proposed moratorium extension is being mailed to property owners in the landslide complex and is available on the City website.

If you have questions or comments about the local emergency declaration or the building moratorium, please email landmovement@rpvca.gov.

Updates 10-12-23

Temporary Trail Closures in Portuguese Bend Reserve

Based on recommendations by Cotton Shires and Associates (the City's geologist), out of an abundance of caution, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has temporarily closed several trails in the Portuguese Bend Reserve due to the potential for hazardous natural conditions associated with increased land movement that has been observed in the greater Portuguese Bend Landslide area.

See map below depicting trail closures.

• Download Portuguese Bend Reserve Trail Closures Map (PDF)
• Download Cotton Shires Geologist Report (PDF)

Click image to open PDF.

These trails are closed until further notice for public safety due to the potential for hazardous natural conditions associated with the active landslide, such as land movement, sink holes, unstable trails and surfaces, erosion, steep cliffs, and falling rocks.

The City is working with geologists and its land co-managers, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, and state and federal wildlife agencies, on solutions to restore public access, ensure public safety, and protect natural resources. 

Thank you for your patience. For the latest updates on the status of trail closures, visit rpvca.gov/trailalerts.

For more information, please contact the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Recreation and Parks Department at trails@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5260.

Water Restrictions Notice Update

In the past few days, the City has received inquiries from residents regarding the recent water restriction notice.

First and foremost, please understand that the purpose of the City issuing this watering restriction is in the interest of public safety, as there are homes at risk of being red tagged and uninhabitable. In some areas of the Landslide Complex the water table is only 6’-8’ below grade, so these restrictions are to limit any activity that might exacerbate the land movement. The City is taking these preventative measures to minimize any additional property loss.

These restrictions are geared towards residential uses in the Landslide Complex. The notice was issued to properties within and outside (but in close proximity) of the Landslide Complex Boundaries. We realize that this may be causing some confusion. 

If your property is outside the Landslide Complex, yet you received this notice, we request that you consider adhering to these practices as an added precaution at this time. However, if your property is inside the Landslide Complex boundaries, these restrictions need to be followed.

Although sprinklers/irrigation systems (including drip irrigation) must be turned off, the City will allow minimal hand watering, so long as this is not saturating lawns and is specifically directed towards individual plants.

That said, the City is not patrolling the area looking for violations nor will be issuing citations for non-compliance. 

We are asking the community to work together using good judgment and common sense to minimize the use of water that has the potential to add to the ground water table. 

We appreciate your compliance, as it will help the City address public safety concerns.

Update 10-10-23

To help minimize additional land movement, today, City Manager Ara Mihranian implemented mandatory water restrictions for all properties in the landslide complex (see map below).

If you are a property owner within the bounds of the landslide complex, you may have received or will soon receive a Mandatory Water Restrictions Notice (PDF) advising you that you must turn off sprinkler/irrigation watering systems for the foreseeable future to minimize additional water being absorbed into the ground in the vicinity. 

Additionally, for those properties with swimming pools, if you experience more water loss than occurs due to evaporation, you must refrain from refilling your pool at this time, and consider emptying your pool to prevent water entering the ground. Please review the second page of the Mandatory Water Restrictions Notice for information on safe pool draining. Note that your pool must comply with all fencing requirements when it is empty.

The City reminds residents that these mandatory restrictions are temporary and are being implemented due to the City’s local emergency declaration to protect the health and safety of the public and to minimize additional damage to homes and infrastructure. 

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please email landmovement@rpvca.gov.  

Update 10-6-23

How to Stay Prepared

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is closely monitoring land movement in the Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove, and Klondike Canyon landslides that has accelerated in recent months. No evacuation warnings or orders have been issued at this time for the neighborhoods in and adjacent to the landslide complex. There are steps residents in the zones highlighted below can take to be prepared, should the situation change in the future.

View map at PVPready.gov.

Zones: 

• RPV-E0155-A
• RPV-E0155-B
• RPV-E0165-A
• RPV-E0165-B
• RPV-E0170-A
• RPV-E0170-B
• (RPV-E0085 is the Portuguese Bend Reserve)

Know your zone. The City and our public safety partners use the Know Your Zone platform for evacuation planning. Find your zone by going to PVPready.gov and entering your address in the search bar on the Find Your Zone page. Once you have your zone number, save it in your phone or write it down and keep it somewhere that’s easy to find in an emergency, such as on your refrigerator or near the front door. If an evacuation warning or order is issued, the zone map at PVPready.gov will be updated in real time with instructions from authorities for the affected zones.

Assemble a go bag. Having a go bag ready and on-hand is an important step toward being ready for any disaster. Include essential items and important documents and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you in the event of an evacuation. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has provided an Evacuation Packing List (PDF) to help residents prepare for an evacuation under multiple timeframe scenarios. 

Sign up for emergency alerts. Make sure you and your family are registered for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay. Sign up by texting “alertrpv” to 888-777 or going to alertsouthbay.com. 

Stay connected. In addition to communications from your homeowners association, make sure you are getting updates from the City. 

The City is committed to keeping the community informed and has created a dedicated webpage at rpvca.gov/landmovement with resident resources and answers to frequently asked questions, including information on how to request a property inspection by the Building and Safety Division or report a water leak to Cal Water. 

Send questions to City staff by emailing landmovement@rpvca.gov and get email updates by subscribing to the Land Movement listserv at rpvca.gov/notify.

If you have concerns or new observations on your property, such as cracks or jammed doors and windows, or you would like to request an inspection, please contact the Building and Safety Division at 310-544-5280 or buildingsafety@rpvca.gov (please include photos). 

For urgent matters or observation of any sudden shifts on your property, please call 9-1-1. 

Please report water leaks to Cal Water at 855-RPV-LEAK (855-778-5325).

If you suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate the area immediately, and from a safe location, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.

Update 10-4-23:

City of Rancho Palos Verdes Declares Local Emergency Due to Increased Land Movement

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has declared a state of local emergency due to accelerating land movement in the Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove, and Klondike Canyon landslides.

The City Council voted October 3 to take the proactive step of declaring a local emergency to bolster the City’s ongoing response and allow staff to request state and federal assistance to address the landslide activity, which has damaged infrastructure and homes. 

The Council also adopted an urgency ordinance putting a moratorium on new construction that may contribute to movement within the City’s larger complex of landslides on the south side of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Learn more about what these actions mean for RPV and the emergency response by reading a press release.Read the local emergency declaration and attachments by clicking the links below.

• Resolution No. 2023-047 (PDF)
• Ordinance No. 674U (PDF)

Cal Water Update 10-2-23:

Want to know what Cal Water is doing to address water leaks in Rancho Palos Verdes, particularly amid increased land movement and rain? Check out the new Community Update Center and sign up for e-mail updates at: www.calwater.com/rpv

You’ll learn: 

·    How to report a leak.

·    About reported, possible leaks and their status.

·    What Cal Water is doing to address future water main leaks.

·    How Cal Water is supporting the community.

Update 9-29-23: 

• With recent land movement activity, the City strongly recommends that property owners in the neighborhoods in and around the Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove, and Klondike Canyon landslides turn off sprinkler/irrigation watering systems for the foreseeable future to minimize additional water being absorbed into the ground in the vicinity. 
• Additionally, for those properties with swimming pools, if you have experienced some water loss, the City requests that you refrain from refilling the pools at this time and consider emptying your pool to prevent water entering the ground if cracking occurs. The City will reach out in a future correspondence about a possible pool draining schedule, so owners can start considering that next step. 
• The roadway is closed at the intersection of Dauntless and Exultant Drives for the foreseeable future. 
• Cal Water has indicated it will have staff on site 24/7 starting this weekend to respond as needed.

Cal Water Update 9-25-23

Cal Water has shared the following information with the City and residents:

California Water Service (Cal Water) is conducting a leak detection project in our Palos Verdes water system. The purpose of this project is to proactively identify and investigate unsurfaced leaks in an effort to maintain safe, clean, and reliable water service to all of our customers and to reduce water loss.

Beginning this week, E Source leak detection technicians will be walking through the service area to survey water hydrants, valves, and customer meters. They will listen for and identify unsurfaced water leaks using ground microphones and sounding rods. They will not need access to any other water system infrastructure or customer homes.

If you have any questions or concerns for Cal Water staff, please feel free to reach out to us at 310-257-1400.

To learn more about what we’re doing in Rancho Palos Verdes, visit our Community Update Center.

Have questions about land movement?

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, in collaboration with the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD), is closely monitoring land movement in neighborhoods in and around the Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove, and Klondike Canyon landslides that has accelerated in recent months. The health and safety of the public and the protection of property, infrastructure, and the environment are our top priorities. We are committed to keeping the community informed. You can find answers to frequently asked questions and more information on this webpage, and get updates by subscribing to the Land Movement listserv at rpvca.gov/notify. Have questions? Contact us at landmovement@rpvca.gov.

What’s happening?

Periodic land movement has occurred historically in the neighborhoods of Seaview, Portuguese Bend Beach Club (PBC), and Portuguese Bend Community Association (PBCA).

Recent land movement in these neighborhoods is due to their proximity to the complex of ancient landslides on the south side of the City. However, since early summer 2023, the City has seen a significant increase in movement that resulted in roadway damage and the red-tagging of two homes on Dauntless Drive near Exultant Drive on June 30 and August 31. A structure is “red-tagged” when it has been severely damaged to the degree that it is too dangerous to inhabit.

In these three neighborhoods, the City has also seen utility impacts, including broken water and gas distribution pipes, displaced sanitary sewer collection pipes, and leaning utility poles.

ACLAD’s operation of dewatering wells in the PBCA over the past two decades has essentially managed land movement in this neighborhood until recently.

Increased movement has been observed elsewhere within the City’s landslide complex, including the Portuguese Bend Landslide particularly in the Portuguese Bend Reserve, a subarea of the City’s Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. All the recent movement is believed to be primarily the result of heavy winter rainfall resulting in surface water percolating into the ground and lubricating the bentonite soil condition, since it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after the rainfall for the land to move. Water pipe leaks, especially when undetected for an extended period of time, may be exacerbating the accelerated land movement in the area. Please note there is no link between this activity and the devastating land movement that destroyed homes in the City of Rolling Hills Estates this summer. 

While the City continues to closely monitor the conditions and conduct inspections requested by property owners, no evacuations of homes in the area are needed at this time. The City is in contact with homeowners in the neighborhood and asks anyone with concerns or new observations on their property, such as cracks or jammed doors and windows, or who would like to request an inspection, to please contact the Building and Safety Division at 310-544-5280 or buildingsafety@rpvca.gov (please include photos). For urgent matters or observation of any sudden shifts on your property, please call 9-1-1. 

Please report water leaks to Cal Water at 855-RPV-LEAK (855-778-5325). If you suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate the area immediately, and from a safe location, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.

How is the City responding?

The City conducts year-round monitoring of movement within the landslide complex to detect rates of movement in various locations and to identify the boundaries of the movement. When accelerated movement was first observed in the Seaview neighborhood in early summer 2023, the City began more detailed surveying of movement and hired a geotechnical engineering consulting company to conduct additional field observations. Those efforts are ongoing.

Building and Safety Division staff conducts regular street-level visual checks in the Seaview, PBCA, and PBC neighborhoods to monitor any new movement several days a week, as well as home inspections on request. While damage in nearby homes has been observed, no additional properties have been red-tagged. City staff has met with and remains in contact with residents and homeowners associations regarding the land movement.

We are also coordinating with our public safety partners, utilities, and ACLAD and KCLAD to monitor the activity and ensure we are ready to respond to any sudden movement, although this scenario is not likely according to the City’s engineering geologists. The City has requested Cal Water deploy automatic pipeline leak detection technology at strategic locations to identify leaks immediately.

We are also forming a working group comprised of stakeholder representatives, including ACLAD and KCLAD board members, homeowners associations from PBCA, PBC, and Seaview, and utility representatives to address issues related to the land movement and keep channels of communication open.

The City Council will consider declaring a local emergency related to the land movement at its October 3, 2023 meeting.

Finally, the City is pursuing a long-term remediation project to slow the Portuguese Bend Landslide by removing water trapped deep underground and preventing future rainwater percolation. A Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released in February 2023 and a Final EIR, that responds to public comments (PDF) is being prepared, with completion expected in fall 2024 and construction as early as fall 2025. The City was recently selected for $23.3 million in grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help slow the landslide. To complete the estimated $33 million project, the City is working to identify funding opportunities for about $10 million needed in non-federal matching funds from state and local representatives and agencies.

What should I do if I have concerns about my property?

Per Ready.Gov, if you are worried about land movement on your property, look for signs of potential land activity, such as cracks or bulges in the ground, street pavement, or sidewalks; soil moving away from foundations; tilting of patios or foundations; broken water lines; or leaning telephone poles, trees, walls, or fences. Watch for slow-moving landslides, or earthflows, that pose threats to property:

• Changes occur in your landscape such as patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes (especially the places where runoff water converges) land movement, small slides, flows, or progressively leaning trees.
• Doors or windows stick or jam for the first time.
• New cracks appear in plaster, tile, brick or foundations.
• Outside walls, walkways or stairs begin pulling away from the building.
• Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways.
• Underground utility lines break.
• Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope.
• Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations.
• Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move.
• The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet.

For urgent matters or observation of any sudden shifts on your property, please call 9-1-1. 

You may consider hiring a geologist to review the conditions of your property. Please note that the City’s geologist does not conduct site visits of private property that is not part of a development permit application. While the City does not make referrals or recommendations, the Building and Safety Division maintains a list of geotechnical engineers who work in the area, which is available on request. The Building and Safety Division can be reached at 310-544-5280 or buildingsafety@rpvca.gov.

How do I stay prepared?

In addition to keeping an emergency supply kit and having a plan for your family, make sure you are signed up for Alert SouthBay emergency alerts by texting “alertrpv” to 888-777 or registering at alertsouthbay.com. Get familiar with the Peninsula cities’ new Know Your Zone evacuation information platform. Go to PVPready.gov to find your zone number, then save it in your phone or write it down and keep it somewhere that’s easy to find in an emergency, such as on your refrigerator or near the front door. In an emergency, such as a landslide or wildfire, check the zone map at PVPready.gov to see if your zone is under an evacuation warning or order.

Does homeowners insurance cover land movement?

News reports underscore that land movement-related damages are not usually covered by most homeowners insurance policies. Now may be a good time to re-read your policy. While understanding the nuances of your insurance coverage is essential, generally, homeowners insurance policies in California offer coverage for accidental physical loss to property, but with certain exclusions and limitations. Standard exclusions often include damages from floods, earth movements, earthquakes, landslides, mudflows, etc. You may have read that a specialized difference in conditions (DIC) policy can secure coverage against land movement. However, it is City staff’s understanding that these policies are nearly impossible to find, available only from large brokers who sell commercial insurance, extremely expensive, and/or may not be currently available in Southern California. Please note that these DIC policies are different from DIC policies that are paired with FAIR Plan policies to fill gaps in coverage. Residents are encouraged to contact the California Department of Insurance with any homeowners insurance questions they may have at 1-800-927-4357 or by going to insurance.ca.gov.