Another storm hit Southern California Sunday, bringing with it periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds in various parts of the region.
The ground throughout parts of SoCal is oversaturated due to the multiple storms that pummeled the area so far over the winter, causing concern for dangerous mudslides and debris flow.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that there has been soil movement in an area of the Hollywood Hills. Three houses have been red-tagged due to the threat of a landslide, which is coming from directly behind the homes.
There is a collapsed hillside behind the red-tagged homes, which is causing mud and debris to seep into the back of the properties.
Even though Southern California experienced a multi-year drought, the added wet weather could reactivate landslides in areas where the soil hasn’t shifted in a long time.
“They stop moving during a multi-year drought,” local geologist Mike Phipps said to KTLA 5’s Rachel Menitoff. “Now, they might start moving again.”
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The collapsed hillside in the Hollywood Hills caused by oversaturated soil. The Los Angeles Fire Department red-tagged three homes in the area on March 24, 2024. (KTLA) -
A Sky5 view of road damage in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. on Feb. 29, 2024. (KTLA) -
A Sky5 view of road damage in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. on Feb. 29, 2024. (KTLA) -
Following a destructive rainstorm that pummeled Southern California, a massive landslide is threatening a neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes on Feb. 8, 2024. (KTLA) -
Following a destructive rainstorm that pummeled Southern California, a massive landslide is threatening a neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes on Feb. 8, 2024. (KTLA) -
A landslide tore through the backyard of a home in Sherman Oaks on March 13, 2024. (KTLA) -
A home is red tagged after a mudslide in Sherman Oaks on March 13, 2024. (KTLA) -
A home is red tagged after a mudslide in Sherman Oaks on March 13, 2024. (KTLA) -
Pictures showing damage from a mudslide in Torrance. The pictures were shared with KTLA on March 15, 2024. (Jeff Guild) -
Pictures showing damage from a mudslide in Torrance. The pictures were shared with KTLA on March 15, 2024. (Jeff Guild) -
Over-saturated soil is causing concern for landslides. In Torrance, these homes are have been red-tagged after city officials discovered structural damage due to landslides. These pictures were taken on March 15, 2024. (KTLA)
Phipps adds that dangerous landslides and debris flow could occur months, or even years after a period of wet weather because the water will have had time to seep in and destabilize the ground.
Parts of Southern California are already on high alert due to the previous storms still impacting the soil.
Multiple homes were red-tagged in Rancho Palos Verdes last month, as the Seaview area experienced serious damage due to landslides.
Several properties in Sherman Oaks and Torrance were also damaged due to the oversaturated soil.
The concern for dangerous mudslides and debris flow will continue to be elevated as another storm is expected to hit Southern California next weekend.