The serene and affluent neighborhood of Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles was rocked by a terrifying incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A massive landslide caused by the recent heavy rains reduced a luxurious mansion to rubble and left two more homes teetering on the edge of a creaking hillside.
The landslide, which occurred at around 3 am, caused significant damage to the destroyed home, which was in the midst of a renovation. The force of the earth slip was so strong that most of the mansion’s roof and structure were completely crushed and scattered. Fortunately, an initial search found no victims, but several people were evacuated from the area for their safety.
The cause of the landslide has not yet been identified, but experts suspect that the recent downpours that have saturated the region’s ground could have played a major role. Southern California has seen a significant increase in precipitation this year, with almost 16 inches of rain in downtown LA since January 1st. This is nearly double the average for this time of year, and experts warn that more incidents like this could occur if the region continues to experience heavy storms.
Apart from the destroyed mansion, the landslide damaged two other homes in the neighborhood. One property had its pool and deck pulled away, while the other had its tennis court and pool left on the edge of a huge fissure.
Fortunately, the Department of Building and Safety has responded swiftly and issued red-tags on the damaged properties, declaring them too dangerous to inhabit.
The incident also serves as a reminder to all residents in the area of the importance of having an emergency plan in place. The Fire Department released a statement urging everyone to be prepared for any disaster, not just wildfires or rain events. They also stressed the need to constantly monitor the condition of their properties and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their homes and families.
While there has been a lull in storms recently, authorities are still keeping a close eye on the situation. Numerous slides and rockfalls have been reported throughout Southern California, and sections of major roads, such as Pacific Coast Highway and State Route 27, have also been affected.
WATCH: Massive landslide damages several homes in Los Angeles neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/GXiQZicq7a
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 14, 2024
