12 Homes Crumble Due To Major Landslide In Rolling Hills Estates

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA — Residents were forced to evacuate their homes before they completely crumbled due to a major landslide in Rolling Hills Estates over the weekend.

The people living in 12 homes on Peartree Lane said they noticed the land shift at about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials called for the evacuation of the area shortly afterward.

"Significant land movement overnight has completely destroyed the homes along a canyon on Peartree Lane here in Rolling Hills Estates. This is just devastating for these residents," County Supervisor Janice Hahn said on Twitter.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is no stranger to the threat of a major landslide. Officials in Rancho Palos Verdes have been monitoring a landslide in the Portuguese Bend, about eight miles from the Rolling Hills slide, which has been slowly moving since 1956.

According to LACoFD, it's unclear what caused the landslide at Peartree Lane. Building and safety officials are continuing to monitor the situation and the American Red Cross aided the displaced residents find shelter, officials said.

Electricity in the area was turned off Saturday and utility crews made sure no gas or power lines were disrupted, authorities said.

"Homes have been pulled off their foundations. The land is continuing to move, but the evacuation order continues to be limited to these 12 homes," Hahn said on Twitter.

City News Service contributed to this report.