A lifeline has been thrown to residents of Rancho Palos Verdes, a Southern California peninsula grappling with devastating landslides. A $42 million voluntary buyout program, funded by FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, was announced, offering hope to homeowners whose homes have been damaged or rendered uninhabitable by shifting land, The Associated Press reports.
Over 250 homes in the city have been impacted by land movement and utility shutoffs in the past two years, with residents incurring significant costs to mitigate the damage. Some have reported spending up to $100,000 fortifying foundations, switching to off-grid solar energy, and converting gas lines to propane.
The FEMA funds were allocated after federal officials declared a disaster following the heavy winter storms in January and February, which exacerbated the already worsening landslides. The voluntary buyout program aims to relocate eligible homeowners to safer areas by offering them fair market value for their homes, based on pre-disaster appraisals.
The landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes, situated atop an ancient landslide, have been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by the construction of a road through the area nearly 70 years ago. The Portuguese Bend landslide destroyed 140 homes at the time, and the land has been moving ever since. However, the pace has drastically accelerated in the past two years, with land that used to shift a few inches annually now moving 9-12 inches per week.
The buyout program offers a ray of hope for residents struggling to cope with the ever-present threat of further damage. Property owners interested in applying for the program must request a voluntary property inspection from the city by Monday, November 4th, and submit a completed application by November 8th. Properties will be prioritized based on factors like safety concerns, structural condition, and utility statuses.
