California Neighborhood Faces Accelerated Landslide Threat

Rancho Palos Verdes homes are slipping into the Pacific Ocean as decades-old land instability worsens due to extreme weather and climate change.

NASA radar data reveals parts of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, moved up to 4 inches per week toward the ocean during fall 2024, threatening over 100 homes.
The landslide area has expanded from 400 to 700 acres, exacerbated by record-breaking rainfall in 2023 and early 2024, linked to climate change-driven weather extremes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in 2024, with FEMA and state officials offering a $42 million buyout program covering 75% of home values, though only 23 buyouts are expected to proceed.
Residents have faced extensive power outages, utility disruptions, and structural damage as land movement destabilizes infrastructure and increases safety risks.
Recent data shows the landslide's pace has slightly slowed since late 2024, but experts warn that the threat to human life and infrastructure remains significant.