Landslides and a water main break in the Upper Riviera on Vista Montana (see the images on our Instagram) have closed that street between Mesa St. to Via Corona indefinitely. As a result, residents who live above Vista Montana need to take a long detour to get down the hill. Unfortunately, it appears that it will take quite some time to repair. The City of Torrance in its most recent update said it will take at least six months to recommend permanent stabilization and repair measures before a design phase can begin.
Additionally, above Vista Montana on Paseo de las Tortugas, two houses were red tagged and two others yellow tagged, according to a March 15 story on Fox11 News.
According to the National Weather Service, our area of Southern California has received 188% of normal rainfall for the year to-date. The official rainy season ended in March, but that doesn’t mean the rain will necessarily stop.
If you live in an area that has landslides, you need to take precautions:
- Find out if the area you want to build or add onto is on bedrock or soil, or a mix. You can begin your inquiries at the Torrance Public Works Engineering Department (310) 781-6900 for a general report of soil safety. Building and Safety (310) 618-5910 and Code Enforcement can offer help.
- For more detailed information, you may want to call a private engineering firm which can take core samples and determine the exact makeup of the soil. “Bill” at Palos Verdes Engineering said that if someone is building on a steep hillside, a slope stability report and a core soil sample can determine if you can build, for example, a pool or cantilevered home or patio on your site. Don’t just look at your neighbor’s home. “These problems are site specific, so your neighbor’s problem may not be yours.”
- Lastly, do NOT plant ice plant on a hillside. Ice plant has very short roots and during a storm, the plant retains water, gets heavier, and may loosen and slide down the slope. Bill said “You want plants that are drought-resistant with deep and spreading roots to grab the surrounding soil. Armstrong Nursery recommended myoporum, lantana, rosemary and star jasmine. If you prefer native plants, The Tree of Life Native Plant Nursery in San Juan Capistrano suggests California buckwheat, yarrow, California asters and irises, which they have. Good luck with your gardening – maybe your neighbors will even help out!
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Riviera Homeowners Association 