Carlsbad Officials Continue To Monitor Landslides

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- With more wet weather forecasted for San Diego County, Carlsbad homeowners at risk of a landslide took advantage of the dry weather Tuesday to keep mud away from their homes.

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CARLSBAD LANDSLIDES Carlsbad Landslides Threaten Residences

The City of Carlsbad Public Works Department continued to monitor a slope failure that threatened public safety by affecting roads, utilities and other public areas.

The city hired contractors to work on a cul de sac in La Costa to stabilize a hillside before a public trail, utilities and a access road were destroyed by a slow moving landslide.

According to Carlsbad Communications Manager Denise Vedder, the Carlsbad City Council declared the site a threat to public safety, and authorized the expenditure of up to $500,000 to protect the public and prevent further damage. The money was contingient on working out a cost-sharing agreement with affected parties as well as agreements with the homeowners that would grant the city access to private property.

The landslide also threatened two homes on Auga Dulce Court after rains caused the hill to slide into the backyards, pushing dirt against the homes. The homeowners were forced to evacuate on March 4 and the city's building inspector yellow-tagged the homes.

About two miles west of Auga Dolce, eight units in the Marbella condominium complex remain yellow-tagged due to soils movement on the private hillside facing La Costa Avenue.

The homeowners association and city hired geologists to monitor the slide. The city is working with the homeowners association to gather data and share information about the cause and eventual repair of the slope.

The slope pushed dirt into La Costa Avenue, forcing the asphalt to buckle and crack. One lane is closed while city crews repair the road.

An emergency solution was developed to restore water by capping off the utilities on either end of the slide and then replacing pipe outside the slide area and 18 residents were able to move back in.

City officials have met with state and federal agencies to seek a declaration of emergency. This declaration would enable the city to seek funds to assist with storm-related repairs and would enable affected homeowners to qualify for low interest loans.