A Slow-Moving Disaster in Rancho Palos Verdes
Sheri Hastings’ property in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, sits atop a slow-moving landslide complex in the Portuguese Bend area, a region that has been shifting for nearly 70 years. Initially, the movement was gradual, measuring just a few inches per year. However, recent spikes in rainfall, brought on by a series of atmospheric rivers, have accelerated the landslide’s pace to as much as four inches a week. These heavy rains have saturated the soil, destabilizing the area and intensifying the slide. The landslide complex, spanning over a square mile and reaching depths of hundreds of feet, is moving towards the Pacific Ocean, posing a significant threat to the homes and lives of residents like Hastings.
The Geology of the Landslide
Mike Phipps, a geologist with nearly four decades of experience studying the area, has been contracted by the city to monitor the landslide’s movement. The city’s strategy to slow the slide includes a network of about a dozen deep water wells that extract groundwater and redirect it into the ocean. Phipps describes the situation as a "catastrophe," where residents are "riding a big raft down the hill," highlighting the precariousness of their living conditions. Despite these efforts, the landslide’s acceleration has created a sense of urgency, prompting the need for more drastic measures to protect residents.
The Voluntary Buyout Program
In response to the growing threat, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services launched a $42 million voluntary buyout program for the most affected residents. This program aims to acquire properties from willing sellers and convert them into open spaces to mitigate further risks. Out of the 85 residents who applied, only an estimated 20 homes are expected to be covered in the initial funding round. However, not all residents are eager to participate. Sheri Hastings, for instance, has expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the buyout, calling it "not a good deal."
The Financial Implications for Residents
The buyout program offers residents 75% of their home’s fair market value, based on assessments from two years prior, with the remaining 25% effectively being absorbed by the sellers. Additionally, homeowners are responsible for the costs of demolition and removal of their properties. Hastings, like many others, feels this arrangement is unfair. She emphasizes that her home represents her life savings and that she, like her neighbors, cannot simply purchase another home. Many residents in the area are not wealthy, contrary to common perceptions, and their homes are their most significant assets. Hastings also points out that insurance does not cover the damage to her property, leaving her with a dwindling financial safety net.
The Human Impact of the Landslide
The ongoing landslide has caused significant stress and uncertainty for residents like Sheri Hastings. The threat of losing their homes, coupled with the financial burden of the buyout program, has left many feeling vulnerable. Hastings’ story illustrates the broader human impact of environmental disasters, where individuals are forced to make difficult decisions about their homes, livelihoods, and future. The emotional toll of watching one’s home and community destabilize is immense, and the slow-moving nature of the landslide only prolongs the anxiety.
Conclusion
The situation in Rancho Palos Verdes serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between natural disasters, urban development, and human resilience. While efforts like the buyout program aim to mitigate risks, they also highlight the financial and emotional challenges faced by those affected. As the landslide continues its relentless march towards the ocean, residents like Sheri Hastings are left to navigate a precarious landscape, both physically and financially, in search of stability and security. The story of Portuguese Bend is a stark illustration of the fragility of human habitation in the face of nature’s forces.
