Gas shut off at 135 Rancho Palos Verdes homes due to ongoing landslide

Summary

In Rancho Palos Verdes, Southern California Gas has shut off gas service to over 130 homes due to ongoing construction and land movement exacerbated by rainfall. The affected area, which includes a neighborhood near the ocean, has seen extensive damage, with some homes already marked as uninhabitable. The gas company informed homeowners about the indefinite shutdown, causing major concerns, especially for vulnerable residents like the elderly and families with babies. As a temporary solution, the company offered a $2500 voucher for electrical appliances to replace gas-powered ones, though there's no timeline for restoring service.

Takeaways

• 😀 SoCal Gas has shut off service to over 130 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes due to construction around the clock.
• 😀 The gas service was turned off this morning and will remain off indefinitely, causing potential issues for residents, especially the elderly and babies.
• 😀 Homeowners were notified of the service disruption on Friday, giving them a few days to prepare.
• 😀 Rainfall earlier this year has led to trapped water, accelerating land movement in the area, contributing to the disruption.
• 😀 The Portuguese Bend neighborhood has seen significant damage, with nearly 100 homes affected, including at least two red-tagged homes.
• 😀 The gas company is actively monitoring the situation, acknowledging the risk of losing other utilities like water in the future.
• 😀 Some residents have already switched to electric water heaters, as gas service was turned off with little notice.
• 😀 Residents have been offered a $2500 voucher to purchase electric appliances as replacements for their gas appliances.
• 😀 No evacuation warnings have been issued yet, despite the ongoing land movement in the area.
• 😀 The situation remains fluid, and residents are adjusting by using available resources, like electric heaters, to cope with the loss of gas service.

Q & A

Why has SoCalGas turned off service to over 130 homes in Rancho Palos Verdes?

SoCalGas shut off service to over 130 homes due to construction around the clock, likely in response to issues caused by land movement in the area.

What notification did homeowners receive about the gas shutdown?

Homeowners were informed on Friday that the gas would be shut down indefinitely, and the shutdown occurred the following morning.

Why could the gas shutdown be particularly serious for certain residents?

The gas shutdown is especially concerning for elderly residents and families with babies, as it leaves them without hot water, which is essential for daily living.

What environmental factor contributed to the land movement in the area?

Substantial rainfall earlier this year led to trapped water in the area, which accelerated the movement of the land and affected the neighborhood.

How many homes have been damaged in the affected neighborhood, and how many have been red-tagged?

Nearly 100 homes have been damaged, and at least two homes have been red-tagged, indicating severe structural concerns.

What is the current risk to utilities in the area?

Given the ongoing land movement, there is a risk that other utilities, such as water and gas, could be lost over time in the affected area.

How did one resident manage the gas shutdown in their home?

One resident converted to an electric water heater after receiving only three days' notice, ensuring they had a way to heat water for showers.

What is the geographical feature of the area where the gas shutdown is happening?

The affected community is located on a beautiful hillside overlooking the ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes.

What steps is the city taking to address the situation?

The city has detected gas leaks in the area, but no evacuation warnings have been issued as of yet.

What compensation has been offered to affected residents?

Residents have been offered a $2,500 voucher to purchase electrical appliances to replace their gas-powered appliances.

Is there any timeline provided for when gas service will be restored?

No specific word has been given on when gas service will be restored to the affected homes.