Governor Newsom proclaims State of Emergency in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes due to ongoing land movement that threatens public safety. The situation has disrupted utility services and led to evacuation warnings for affected residents.

Rancho Palos Verdes is situated on four of the five sub-slides that make up the Greater Portuguese Landslide Complex. The land movement in this area has accelerated significantly following severe storms in 2023 and 2024, increasing the risk to the community.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has been actively coordinating with both city and county officials for nearly a year to address the land movement issue. Efforts include providing technical assistance, supporting a local assistance center, facilitating a federal mitigation grant for groundwater management, and helping assess initial damage.

A copy of the proclamation can be found here.