FEMA Denies Disaster Assistance Request For Palos Verdes Landslides

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Rancho Palos Verdes' request for disaster recovery costs incurred while responding to the Portuguese Bend landslide emergency.

Disaster recovery cost requests for the Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement Districts were also denied, the city said.

"This news was anticipated, as the federal government has indicated it considers accelerated movement in the City’s landslides a pre-existing issue," city officials said in a statement.

Led by Rep. Ted Lieu, legislators wrote a letter urging FEMA to provide the resources in October 2024.

In the letter, legislators said through FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant, Rancho Palos Verdes would be able to better mitigate the crisis by eliminating excess moisture and reducing future ground movement.

The city will appeal FEMA's decision and is still pursuing every avenue for potential financial assistance, officials said. Appeals are due by March 17.