In a landslide-hit California town, life is like camping without electricity, gasoline

Jill Carlton, who has lived in the community for nearly 30 years, said it was good that the problem had finally caught the governor's attention.

“They have been putting pressure on him for a long time, hoping that he will finally come and actually visit us,” said Carlton. However, she is disappointed “that those affected are still not getting any help.”

The declaration instead frees up state resources, such as emergency personnel, equipment and services. In an email, the city of Rancho Palos Verdes said it continues to urge state leaders and agencies to ask President Joe Biden to declare a federal disaster, which would trigger resources and possibly individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Nearly 70 years ago, the Portuguese Hillside landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes was triggered by the construction of a road through the area that rested on an old landslide. 140 homes were destroyed then and the land has been moving ever since.

But the once slow-moving landslides accelerated rapidly after torrential rains drenched Southern California over the past two years. Land that once averaged several inches a year now moves between 9 and 12 inches a week.

The rapid development forced the demolition of the Wayfarers Chapel, a historic landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, earlier this year. The scenic roads winding through the city have also begun to falter, with signs warning drivers of depressions and the changing, disfigured terrain.

“Bicycles and motorcycles must be extremely careful,” reads one sign. “Uneven road” and “Danger of slipping” are read on other signs.

Mike Phipps, the city's geologist, said the average rate of movement has slowed somewhat but is still about 4 feet per month. “It's still significant movement. We've just kind of hit full speed and are right on track,” he said.

Some residents believe leaks are to blame for the destruction in their community, arguing that several burst water and sewer pipes that were not repaired quickly or adequately saturated the soil and contributed to earth movement.

Residents recently filed suit against the city, its water company and others, alleging, among other things, that the city's negligence and inaction were “significant factors” in accelerating the landslide “and the resulting damage to residents' homes and lives.”

The city said it does not comment on pending litigation.