Gas and Power Severed in Affluent Retirement Community
In Rancho Palos Verdes, a town known for its affluent retirees, utilities were abruptly cut, leaving residents in a precarious situation.
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Gas service was terminated to 135 homes at the beginning of August, and by Sunday, both the power and water supplies were also disconnected, leaving the community scrambling to cope with these sudden changes.
Calls for Governor Newsom’s Intervention
The escalating situation has prompted calls for California Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene as more homes face power outages.
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Residents, including Nikki Noushkam, are distressed, with Noushkam stating, “I have no idea where in the hell I’m going,” and questioning, “Why do you think it’s ok to ignore us? We have lost everything and we are not rich, we are working professionals.”
Repeated Landslides Threaten Homes
Since torrential rains last spring, the area has been plagued by landslides, which were exacerbated by additional storms in February, causing considerable land movement.
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These natural disasters have resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of homes, compounding the residents’ challenges.
Safety Concerns Prompt Power Disconnection
Southern California Edison decided to disconnect power indefinitely due to safety concerns arising from ongoing land movement.
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David Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, explained, “At this point land movement has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely.”
Last-Minute Notifications Frustrate Residents
Residents received very short notices regarding the utility cutoffs, which added to the stress and uncertainty.
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Mike Hong shared his experience with the LA Times, saying, “They are giving us even less time than the gas company. Don’t abandon us. Where’s the humanity in this?”
Urgent Evacuation Orders for Elderly Residents
The elderly population, which makes up over a quarter of the town’s residents, received urgent evacuation orders.
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The city has advised them to avoid using water or plumbing following the power shutoff to prevent sewer spills and to prepare for evacuation by packing necessary items and making arrangements for pets and animals.
Discrepancy Between Town’s Wealth and Residents’ Reality
While Rancho Palos Verdes is often perceived as a wealthy area, many residents feel neglected and at risk.
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Craig Cadwallader expressed to CBS News, “Everybody must assume that everybody who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes is infinitely wealthy and that is not the case, especially for me. So I literally don’t know where I’m going.”
County Increases Funding for Disaster Response
In response to the crisis, County Supervisor Janice Hahn has allocated an additional $5 million in county funds to aid in the disaster response, calling on Governor Newsom for further assistance.
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She emphasized the scale of the emergency at a news conference, saying, “There is no playbook for an emergency like this one.”
Continued Power Cuts as Land Movement Worsens
Southern California Edison has scheduled further power cuts due to accelerated land movement damaging their electrical equipment.
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This ongoing instability leaves the timeline for restoring power uncertain, causing continued distress among affected residents.
Sheriff Steps Up Security Amid Looting Concerns
In response to the potential threat of looting in the increasingly abandoned town, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna has increased security measures.
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He warned potential thieves, saying, “We are ready to arrest you, and you are going to go to jail if you come here to steal anything. Do not think about it.”
Community Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the dire circumstances, the community of Rancho Palos Verdes shows resilience and unity as they face these challenges together.
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Residents continue to support each other, sharing resources and information, as they adapt to their new realities and seek solutions amidst ongoing uncertainty and disruptions.