News Summary
A landslide occurred in Old Town San Diego, damaging vehicles and leading to the evacuation of residents. Witnesses reported the sound of collapsing rocks, and one car was buried. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident raised safety concerns as it took place near steep cliffs. Clean-up efforts began shortly after, with city officials monitoring the situation closely. Property owners are responsible for clearing debris and addressing erosion issues in the area.
San Diego – A landslide occurred in Old Town San Diego on Monday night, causing vehicle damage and prompting the evacuation of several residents. The incident took place around 5:30 PM on Congress Street, dangerously close to a series of apartment units situated along a steep cliff. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the situation raised significant safety concerns among locals.
Witnesses indicated that the landslide damaged at least one vehicle, specifically an electric car owned by resident Leo Naab. Naab, who had purchased the car only three months prior, described the sound of the collapse as resembling construction noise, which initially left him confused. The car was struck by large boulders, leading Naab to believe it could be totaled; however, he expressed gratitude that the vehicle may have obstructed rocks from entering his home.
Naab’s neighbor, Greg Holdgrafer, was also nearby during the incident and narrowly avoided damage to his vehicle. Both Naab and Holdgrafer have previously expressed apprehensions about residing in close proximity to the cliff, with Naab stating he felt uncertain about their safety given the circumstances.
The landslide occurred on privately owned land, placing the responsibility of remediation upon the property owner. Following the incident, clean-up efforts began on Tuesday afternoon. A spokesperson for the city confirmed that city staff assessed the site to ensure no additional buildings or city property were affected by the collapse. Authorities announced plans to check city-owned storm drains and water mains for structural integrity.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes post-evacuation, yet apprehensions linger, particularly for Naab, who remains uncertain about the safety of his residence following the incident. Meanwhile, the unnamed property owner characterized the landslide as a rare occurrence, conveying that safety measures would be enacted in response to the event but did not specify what actions would be taken.
Naab has moved forward by filing an insurance claim for damages incurred to his vehicle due to the landslide. The San Diego Police Department reported that the landslide left one car buried while also impacting one home. Lt. Zach Pfannenstiel noted that the area is known for prior erosion problems and attributed the collapse primarily to drainage issues.
The city of San Diego has reiterated that responsibility for clearing the debris pile lies with the property owners in the area affected by the landslide. As of now, no injuries or permanent displacements have been reported due to this incident, but the situation continues to be monitored closely by city officials and local authorities, reflecting rising safety concerns among residents living near precarious terrain.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8 News
- NBC San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: Landslide
- Los Angeles Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Landslide
