Utility cuts natural gas service to landslide-stricken Southern California neighborhood

Natural gas service is being shut off in a neighborhood on Southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula due to deteriorating conditions in an area where a long-running landslide has damaged homes, roads and utilities

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, California — Natural gas service was shut off to 135 homes in a neighborhood on Southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula on Monday due to deteriorating conditions in an area where a long-running landslide has damaged homes, roads and utilities, authorities said.

Southern California Gas Co. cited “significant strain” on its infrastructure when it announced over the weekend that it would shut off natural gas service to homes in the Portuguese Bend area of ​​the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.

“We regret this unexpected disruption to service,” the company said in a statement. “This dynamic situation requires us to take immediate action to protect public safety.”

According to the company, the land is moving at about 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) per week.

The gas company said it will give $2,500 to each account holder to help with immediate needs, such as laundry and meals. There was no estimate for restoring service.

Portuguese Bend is one of the neighborhoods in an area with ancient landslides. Significant increases in land movement began in the spring of 2023, after heavy winter rains. It is thought that water seeping into the ground lubricates the earth.

Earlier this year, a landslide forced the dismantling of the monument Chapel of the Pioneers to prevent it from being destroyed. It is hoped that it can be rebuilt elsewhere.