Federal lawmakers are urging FEMA to aid Rancho Palos Verdes residents impacted by the ongoing destructive landslides despite the organization's decision to deem the land movement a 'pre-existing condition."
The city has been reaching out to both federal and state agencies for nearly a year now, and it's also pressuring gas and power companies to restore service to more than 250 residents.
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This week, about 15 homes will have power restored, which is a small step forward, but several lawmakers, including Congressman Ted Lieu, say it's not enough.
Congressman Lieu tells KNX News' Nataly Tavidian, "My argument is if you aggravate a pre-existing condition and there is a presidential declaration for what caused the aggravation, then I think there is a possibility to see if we can get sources of relief because the only reason this is accelerating so quickly is because of these torrential downpours earlier this year."
He said FEMA has been providing technical assistance, and "They have been trying to do everything they can with what they believe the law is," but he and his colleagues are asking them to take a second look.
Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank insists that the land movement should not be labeled a pre-existing condition as the land movement wasn't moving 50 ft a year before the atmospheric river events.
On Monday, RPV will hold a town hall regarding the situation, and the city's next update will be at the city council meeting on Wednesday, November 6th.
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