Homes destroyed and evacuations prompted as Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood in Los Angeles County hit by a devastating landslide

Massive landslide forces evacuation of homes in Los Angeles County.

Late Saturday night, a massive landslide occurred in the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles County, resulting in the evacuation of 12 homes. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn reported that several of these homes were completely destroyed. The landslide, described as a major one, poses a continued threat to multiple homes along Peartree Lane, which have all been evacuated by order of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is expected that these homes will continue to crumble due to the constant movement of the land beneath them.

Officials are concerned that more homes may be at risk and are currently surveying the situation to assess the extent of the danger. During the initial investigation, cracks were found in several of the homes. A video posted by the L.A. County Fire Department on Sunday showed visible damage to houses and significant gaps in the ground below.

The exact timing of when the land began to give way remains unclear. On Saturday, sixteen residents were given a short period of time, around 20 minutes, to pack up and evacuate. Geologists will be conducting a survey of the land to determine the cause of the landslide. It is speculated that excessive rainfall may have played a role, but other factors are not yet ruled out.

To ensure the security of the evacuated homes, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department patrols will monitor the area. County Supervisor Janice Hahn described the sounds of the homes as "snap, crackle, pop" during a news conference on Monday, emphasizing the rapid pace at which the structures are deteriorating.

The 12 affected homes have been red-tagged, indicating that they are unsafe for occupancy. Hahn noted that these homes have moved almost 20 feet since the previous night, and some homes that were seen on the previous night are now gone. The situation is beyond control, and everyone is in a wait-and-see mode, waiting for the homes to reach their final resting spot in the ravine below.

As a precautionary measure, the street has been blocked off, and electricity in the area has been turned off. Gas crews are also investigating potential threats to the system and other homes. Nicholas Riegels, a resident of Rolling Hills Estates, expressed hope for the well-being of the affected individuals and commended the mobilization of community resources to assist them.

Rolling Hills Estates is a gated community situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, approximately 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

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