Paseo del Mar slides into the sea

A little rain finished off the job, apparently. Paseo del Mar's slow slide toward the Pacific over recent weeks sped up on Sunday afternoon and parts of the cliff-top street fell into the ocean. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich was in the area and stopped by to take a look. "It's bad. We're lucky no one got hurt," Trutanich told the Daily Breeze. Mayor Villaraigosa's office later issued a statement:

"On Sunday afternoon, a portion of the previously closed Paseo Del Mar between S. Western Avenue and S. Weymouth Avenue, in the San Pedro area, experienced a significant landslide. A section of the closed road slid off the hill and into the ocean.

Thankfully, there were no injuries and no property was damaged. No homes or other buildings are threatened at this time.

Because of the ongoing landslide, last week the City erected a chain link fence around the affected area and posted signs warning of the danger.

I would like to remind all residents and visitors that the landslide area remains unstable and presents a life-threatening hazard. Please follow the posted signs and keep out of the area.

City engineers and other officials are working to determine the cause of the initial landslide and they have been directed to expedite a contract with an outside geotechnical firm to conduct a thorough study.

The LAPD has increased patrols in the area to ensure individuals are not accessing the site.

I would like to thank the residents of the White Point neighborhood for their patience and cooperation during this time."

Also rain-related: Flooding in the Sepulveda Boulevard tunnel caused delays getting to LAX.

Photo: Chuck Bennett / Daily Breeze