The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to support state legislation that would add landslides to the list of disasters qualifying as local emergencies under California law.
The unanimous vote, led by Supervisor Janice Hahn, backs Assembly Bill 986 authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. The legislation responds to ongoing land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes that has destroyed homes and displaced families.
"There is no question about it – the land movement that has devastated neighborhoods in Rancho Palos Verdes and displaced families absolutely is a local emergency, and state law should recognize it as such," Hahn said. "Right now, cities impacted by landslides are forced to respond to these crises with one hand tied behind their back."
Rancho Palos Verdes has suffered severe damage from widespread land movement, but because landslides aren't included in the California Emergency Services Act, the city has faced challenges accessing essential recovery resources for affected residents.
Current law recognizes wildfires, floods, storms, droughts, earthquakes and other specified events as local emergencies, but excludes landslides. AB 986 would add landslides and conditions exacerbated by climate change to the emergency list.
The legislation aims to help cities unlock critical resources for response and recovery when dealing with landslide disasters.
Edited by SMDP Staff