Ground subsidence causes destruction of 12 houses in Palos Verdes

Following a ground subsidence incident on July 8, the Palos Verdes Rolling Hills Estates subdivision in Palos Verdes remains unstable as of July 10, leading to a mandatory evacuation order for residents. Concerns have also arisen regarding the potential for further damage to homes due to the ongoing subsidence.

The subsidence began around 4 p.m. on July 8, when residents residing in homes on the ravine side of Fairtree Lane reportedly felt the ground shaking and quickly evacuated, alerting authorities.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn tweeted about the situation, stating, “I’m in Rolling Hills Estates where a major landslide has threatened multiple homes.”

The LA County Fire Department evacuated residents, and homeowners could only witness as their homes collapsed and sank into the ground, according to the supervisor.

Currently, all residents of the complex have been relocated to a safe location, with deputies from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s Lomita Station patrolling the area to ensure safety and security.

By Sunday evening, July 9, authorities estimated that a total of 12 homes within the complex had suffered damage, either being pulled out of the ground or caving in. Some of these affected homes reportedly belong to Korean American residents.

In anticipation of potential emergencies, authorities have shut off electricity and gas to the complex. The Red Cross is providing assistance in coordinating temporary housing for the evacuees.

The cause of the ground subsidence in the area remains unknown, but fortunately, no casualties have been reported.

BY BYONGIL KIM    [kim.byongil@koreadaily.com]