Greater Portuguese Bend landslide emergency extensions
Summary
Land movement slowed after February's rain-driven spike, which staff credit to the deep dewatering wells. But power is still out behind the gate and the emergency proclamation remains in effect until movement stops.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 13
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 4, 2026.
Impact analysis
FEMA's BRIC program is resuming funding, which has been a major source for landslide mitigation; a $2.9 million federal earmark request for the EOC is also pending.
Residents of the landslide area, particularly those awaiting power restoration and mitigation funding.
Residents behind the gate remain without power and face ongoing evacuation risk.
Mentions & discussions (15)
City Council Meeting - Nov 4, 2026
The landslide is still moving — up 15% in October in Portuguese Bend and Abalone Cove — and the council approved about $3 million more in design and environmental contracts so the city can meet FEMA grant deadlines and unlock up to $150 million for a holistic fix. Staff said delay could cost tens of millions.
City Council Meeting - Sep 15, 2026
Movement is down about 13% and 561 million gallons of water have been pumped out since August 2024, but the city faces roughly $75 million in costs through June 2027 with only about 17% grant-funded so far. Winterization is being completed early ahead of a forecast El Niño rainy season.
City Council Meeting - Aug 4, 2026
The landslide is still moving — up to 16 times pre-crisis rates in some areas — so the council extended the local emergency, the de-energization emergency, and the ban on two- and three-wheeled vehicles on Palos Verdes Drive South for 60 more days. Roughly 100+ homes in the Portuguese Bend community still lack power.
City Council Meeting (Special IA) - Jun 16, 2026
The council kept the landslide emergency in place for another 60 days, extended the bike/motorcycle ban on PV Drive South, and affirmed a $20 million FEMA BRIC grant application. Dewatering is working — movement is trending down — but a ~$150 million remediation plan still needs major outside funding.
City Council Meeting - Jun 2, 2026
The Council reconfirmed, by four-fifths vote, the ongoing emergency declaration keeping landslide mitigation work and emergency contracting going. Landslide response and stabilization gets $10.6 million in the new CIP plan.
City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026
Movement rates are down 54% from last year but remain 4 to 8 times pre-slide levels on Palos Verdes Drive South, so the one- and two-wheeled vehicle ban and local emergency were extended 60 more days. Dewatering wells have pumped nearly half a billion gallons, and the landslide spend is projected at $61.5 million through fiscal year-end. Seaview and Graben-area residents described ongoing road damage, failed winterization infrastructure, and safety hazards.
Amended City Council Meeting - Apr 21, 2026
The council ratified $360,110 in emergency storm drain work on Crenshaw Boulevard, closed out two emergency contracts, and reconfirmed the landslide emergency declaration for the Portuguese Bend area by a four-fifths vote.
Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting - Apr 16, 2026
The city formally removed the long-standing evacuation advisories and warnings in the landslide area the day of this meeting. Acceleration has stopped, sewer lines have run safely on generators for two years, and geologists ruled out catastrophic failure. Clearing the warnings keeps residents alert for real wildfire-season evacuation orders.
Civic Center Advisory Committee - Mar 26, 2026
The city has two years left on a four-year GSA deadline to build emergency components, or the land could revert to federal control. The city proposed an eight-year MOU to keep the helipad and build the evacuation area, supply storage, and incident command center — and wants the restrictions lifted entirely.
Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting - Mar 16, 2026
Land movement slowed after February's rain-driven spike, which staff credit to the deep dewatering wells. But power is still out behind the gate and the emergency proclamation remains in effect until movement stops.
City Council Meeting - Feb 17, 2026
The Council again confirmed, by four-fifths vote, that the landslide emergency remains active and repair work must continue — nearly two years after the original declaration.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares emergency disaster for landslide-threatened Rancho Palos Verdes - ABC News
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares emergency disaster for landslide-threatened Rancho Palos Verdes ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
City Council Meeting - Feb 3, 2026
Land movement rates ticked up about 14% after heavy early-season rains, but dewatering wells are showing real effect. FEMA approved partial second-round buyout funding for about five more homes, and the council extended the emergency declarations and the PV Drive South bike ban for 60 days.
City Council Meeting (Special IA) - Jan 20, 2026
The council reconfirmed the landslide emergency declaration, but a resident pleaded with them not to abandon the $30 million dewatering well project, noting four wells are down and half the pumping capacity has been lost heading into storm season.
As land slides alarmingly, Rancho Palos Verdes is seeking state and federal emergency declarations
As land slides alarmingly, Rancho Palos Verdes is seeking state and federal emergency declarations Los Angeles Times
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Rancho Palos Verdes
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.