Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency in RPV Amid Power Shutoffs Due to Land Movement

Today, Sept. 3, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the City amid ongoing severe land movement that has disrupted utility services and prompted evacuation warnings to approximately 140 households to the Portuguese Bend Community Association (PBCA).

This proclamation opens up State resources, including emergency personnel, equipment, services and financial assistance, to the City as it responds to the de-energization of residences in PBCA and portions of the Seaview neighborhood.

“The City has been navigating this crisis for almost two years, and the skyrocketing costs of responding to this emergency are taking a toll on our coffers,” said Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Ara Mihranian. “For months, we have been asking for public assistance from every level of government. Today’s announcement of a state of emergency declaration brings much needed financial assistance for the City to respond to recent power shutoffs that are upending our residents’ lives. We look forward to working with Cal OES and the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management on the next steps in this process.”

The Governor's declaration as of today does not open up individual financial assistance to affected residents. The City continues to strongly call on Gov. Newsom and the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to ask President Joe Biden to declare a federal disaster in the City, which would trigger the deployment of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources and potentially individual assistance.

At a 3 p.m. special meeting, the City Council voted to amend the state of emergency declaration adopted on Aug. 6 to include the Sept. 1-2 power shutoffs and expand the covered area to include the Seaview neighborhood. As part of this action, the Council authorized the Mayor to sign a letter to Cal OES, Gov. Newsom and FEMA requesting individual assistance for residents impacted by the accelerated movement in the landslide.

Read the Governor’s full proclamation at the following link: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/9.3.2024-Rancho-Palos-Verdes-SOE.pdf

At 7 p.m., the City Council will hold its regular meeting, where it will consider extending the building moratorium that was put in place in the landslide area when a state of emergency was declared in October 2023 due to accelerated land movement. If approved, the moratorium would remain in effect through October 2, 2025. The Council will also consider establishing regulations and procedures to help homeowners in the landslide area stabilize and level their houses. These temporary solutions include placing homes on cargo structures and other leveling systems, such as I-beams, and installing alternative foundation systems to help maintain the integrity of the structure as the land shifts.

A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.

Meeting Info

The meeting is taking place tonight, September 3, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live at rpvca.gov or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. 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. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.

The City will continue to provide regular community updates at rpvca.gov/landmovement.

Questions?

If you have questions, please email landmovement@rpvca.gov.

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.