A massive landslide has forced the evacuation of 12 homes on Peartree Lane next to a canyon in Rolling Hills Estates.
Residents and authorities in the area noticed the land shift at around 4 p.m. Saturday, and the residents were evacuated shortly afterward.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed the evacuations on Twitter, writing “I’m in Rolling Hills Estates where a major landslide has threatened multiple homes.”
Hahn said the Los Angeles County Fire Department ordered the evacuations.
Deputies from the sheriff’s Lomita station were sent to patrol the neighborhood “to ensure the evacuated homes are secure,” Hahn said.
The supervisor’s tweets included several photos showing the instability of the homes.
“It is hard to see in this photo, but there are homes here in Rolling Hills Estates that are physically leaning — like this garage — following the landslide,” she tweeted. “Had the chance to speak to residents who are being evacuated. Everyone is safe but right now these homes are too unstable to enter. I’ve already spoken with our Public Works Director Mark Pastrella and (we) are offering the city and our residents our full support.”
Electricity in the area was turned off and utility crews made sure no gas or power lines were disrupted, authorities said.
The American Red Cross was helping to find shelter for the evacuated families.
It is unclear what caused the landslide.