ROLLING HILLS ESTATES (CNS) - A massive landslide has forced the evacuation of 12 homes on Peartree Lane next to a canyon in Rolling Hills Estates.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed the evacuations on Twitter, writing "I'm in Rolling Hills Estates where a major landslide has threatened multiple homes."
Hahn said the Los Angeles County Fire Department ordered the evacuations.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lomita Station) were set to patrol the neighborhood "to ensure the evacuated homes are secure," Hahn said on Twitter.
The supervisor's tweets included several photos showing the instability of the homes.
"It is hard to see in this photo, but there are homes here in Rolling Hills Estates that are physically leaning -- like this garage -- following the landslide," she tweeted. "Had the chance to speak to residents who are being evacuated. Everyone is safe but right now these homes are too unstable to enter. I've already spoken with our Public Works Director Mark Pastrella and (we) are offering the city and our residents our full support."
Residents and authorities in the area noted the land shift at around 4 p.m. Saturday.
The residents were evacuated shortly afterward.
Electricity in the area has been turned off and utility crews made sure no gas or power lines were disrupted.
The American Red Cross is helping to find shelter for the evacuated families.
It is uncleared what caused the landslide.