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After a massive landslide destroyed a dozen homes and forced widespread evacuations in Rolling Hills Estates, a new report released Friday claims excessive rainfall was to blame for the destruction.
In July, when the ground shifted more than 40 feet on Peartree Lane on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, at least a dozen homes were destroyed or heavily damaged. Residents were forced to evacuate as homes were red-tagged and monitored for additional movement.
At the time, the cause of the massive landslide was a mystery as geologists and experts worked to determine the origin.
Since then, two separate investigations were launched — one from city and county officials and another by the homeowners association.
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L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted an update to Twitter on Sunday afternoon saying that homes on Peartree Lane were “completely destroyed.” (Twitter/@SupJaniceHahn) -
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted an update to Twitter on Sunday afternoon saying that homes on Peartree Lane were “completely destroyed.” (Twitter/@SupJaniceHahn) -
A house in Rolling Hills Estates is severely damaged after a landslide on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County early July 9, 2023. (Michael Hixon/The Orange County Register via AP) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (KTLA) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted an update to Twitter on Sunday afternoon saying that homes on Peartree Lane were “completely destroyed.” (Twitter/@SupJaniceHahn) -
Damaged homes are torn apart by earth movement in the Los Angeles County city of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., on Monday, July 10, 2023. The dozen homes torn apart were hastily evacuated by firefighters Saturday when cracks began appearing in structures and the ground. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (KTLA) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
A collapsing home is seen in Rolling Hills estates on July 10, 2023. (KTLA) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
Police, fire and utility company officials were on scene as early as 6 a.m. Sunday morning, and the area remains closed. SoCal Edison shut off power in the area, and Southern California Gas Company crews were called in to make sure no gas lines had been ruptured. (KTLA) -
A partially destroyed patio caused by earth movement is seen in Southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Rolling Hills Estates on July 10, 2023. (Richard Vogel/Associated Press) -
A massive landslide has forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in the Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood on July 8, 2023. (L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn) -
A massive landslide has forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in the Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood on July 8, 2023. (L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (KTLA) -
A home completely caved in after a landslide in Rolling Hills Estates on July 8, 2023. (KTLA) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
At least 12 homes were evacuated in Rolling Hills Estates along Peartree Lane next to the canyon area, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. A total of 16 residents were forced to leave their residences. (OnSceneTV) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (L.A. County Fire) -
Massive landslide prompts evacuations of homes in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on July 11, 2023. (KTLA)
According to local officials, a fissure running among the homes raised suspicion that heavy rains from the historic winter storms may have been involved.
Four months later, displaced residents remain not only heartbroken over the destruction of their homes, but many have been stuck dealing with the nightmare of insurance coverage.
On Friday, the city released findings from its first preliminary analysis by GeoKinetics, an environmental and geotechnical firm in Irvine.
On the origins of the landslide, the report states in part:
“The primary factor that caused the “Peartree Lane Slope Failure” was the unusually heavy rainfall that occurred during the winter of 2022-2023.”
The reports also added that changes in hillside vegetation and prior failures along the slope may have also contributed.
Some community members, however, are questioning the findings of that report. Attorney Steven Bum represents many of the residents affected by the landslide.
In a statement, Blum told KTLA, “The city’s claim that heavy rainfall caused the landslide sounds like a self-serving act of God defense. The homeowners deserve better. They have lost their homes and nearly all of their possessions. They deserve an objective investigation.”
Blum points to other potential causes such as human factors, storm drain deficiencies and more.
For now, repairs on the destroyed and damaged homes will cost millions of dollars. Possible aid from FEMA may help with some relief efforts, but homeowners are also seeking reimbursement from local government.
Back in July, insurance expert Janet Ruiz from the Insurance Information Institute, told KTLA that typical insurance will likely not cover damages from the landslide. Standalone earthquake insurance will also likely not cover this kind of situation. The residents’ only hope may rely on a difference in conditions policy.
“The insurance that would cover landslide, earth movement would be a difference in condition policy,” explained Ruiz. “That covers earth movement, earthquake, flooding, so it’s kind of an all-in-one policy but again it’s a specialty policy and it’s not covered under your regular homeowner’s insurance.”
The geological investigation from the homeowner’s association is still underway with legal action from the HOA against the city a possibility down the road.
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