The backyards of multiple oceanfront homes in Rancho Palos Verdes shifted noticeably over the weekend.
One resident of RPV – a community which has long dealt with mudslides and land movement – called authorities to report a significant land shift in the backyard of their Marguerite Drive home around 8 p.m. Saturday, an L.A. County Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA on Sunday.
“Firefighters found a 300-foot section in the backyard that had noticeable land movement,” the official said. “Homes were not structurally damaged or impacted at that time.”
As of Monday morning, there were still no reports of damage or structural impacts at the at any of the oceanfront homes located between Christmas Tree Cove and Vista Point where the land movement was first reported. A total of four backyards were affected by the land movement, including one that appeared to be completely ruined.
None of the other three homes whose backyards were affected were damaged.
No mandatory evacuations were ordered due to the land movement; however, a neighbor who knows the resident who made the initial call told KTLA on Sunday morning that the resident voluntarily left and stayed the night at a local hotel out of an abundance of caution.
“There was a crack that had developed, so it wasn’t a surprise,” said the neighbor, Mehran Moshfegh, who added that he was sure the homes were safe due to the multitude of geological tests that have been and will continue to be conducted. “These houses were built on rock solid [ground], so the homes are safe…every now and then a section may fall in, but the homes are safe.”
Just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the city of Rancho Palos Verdes provided more details on the Marguerite Drive land movement situation, saying that approximately 300 to 400 linear feet of the slope sloughed off and dropped at least 50 to 60 feet towards the coastline.
“There were no initial signs of structural damage…however, significant soil movement has resulted in damage to several backyards,” city officials said. “The city is working closely with the L.A. County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department and has dispatched the Rancho Palos Verdes city geologist and Building and Safety Division to the scene.”
Officials added that, while a geotechnical assessment is still ongoing, the most recent land shift occurred outside the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, which is located about four miles southeast of Marguerite Drive.
Since the landslide occurred on private properties, the owners will be responsible for the cleanup.
Video below: KTLA coverage of the land movement from Sunday, Sept. 28.
