A state of emergency was declared in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes Tuesday a day after more homes lost power due to the shifting land.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation of a state of emergency would allow the state government to “utilize and employ” state resources to provide assistance to nearly 300 people who live and work in the area without gas and electricity.
“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been coordinating with the city and county for nearly a year to support the response to the land movement, including providing technical assistance, supporting the local assistance center, facilitating a federal mitigation grant for groundwater work in the area, and helping officials with initial damage estimates,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.
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Under Newsom's directive, all state agencies are to follow the guidance of the Office of Emergency Services and the state's emergency plan to keep neighbors safe.
"We did think it took him a little too long to respond, but better late than never, I suppose," said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank.
"I'm delighted. The city has been calling for the governor to declare a state of emergency and today's announcement came not soon enough," said Ara Mihranian, City Manager.
Meanwhile, those who live and work in the affected area are expected to follow the directions of the emergency officials, the governor's proclamation said.
The declaration would also allow the state to provide further assistance to local government under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
After SoCalGas cut off its gas service to the community due to the land movement in early August, Southern California Edison Sunday terminated its electricity supply to 140 homes and 53 businesses in the Portuguese Bend community before expanding the power shut-off to an additional 105 houses in the Seaview community Monday.
"(Sunday), Southern California Edison (SCE) notified the city and 105 out of 270 Seaview homes that their electricity service will be discontinued for varying lengths of time, due to the risk of utility equipment igniting a wildfire and other hazards caused by downed wires or damaged equipment impacted by landslide movement," the city said in an update Monday morning.
The power shutoff will continue for at least 24 hours. According to the city, 47 homes will be without power for 24 hours; 40 properties will be without power for 1 to 3 weeks; and 20 properties will be without power indefinitely.
Potential solutions on the horizons
With the support of the state and an additional $5 million secured from the county, local leaders are brainstorming what they can do to remedy the disaster. Cruikshank said he is looking for long-term, off the grid solutions for his constituents.
Among those being considered is Tesla's powerwall.
"I had a really great meeting with Tesla Energy," the mayor said. "I met with them again today; they already came forth with some workable solutions."
Cruikshank did not elaborate on how the city could potentially move forward with Tesla, but that route could take weeks or even months to complete.
Frustration mounts from impacted residents
With many residents in the community living with a lack of utilities, those who've been impacted by the shutoff are demanding resolutions that will help them long-term. In the meantime, however, they're doing what they can.
"I don't have a toilet that works because the grinder pumps are off and I don't have any power or cell," said a resident named Cassie, who was at a community center for those who were affected.
“It takes a while to get your head around this, so we are playing it day by day,” said David Blenko, whose home lost power on Monday.
One resident said it is unclear who is being impacted by the shutoff and who isn't.
"People west of us had power and some didn’t," said Jill Carlton, who lives in the area. "So, there’s no defined area, that they can even explain right now. So I have no idea what’s going to happen."
Rancho Palos Verdes residents can check the city’s website to see if they fall under areas impacted by the power shutoff. Community members can click here to see if the are in an evacuation area.
