Landslide in Los Angeles

Drivers near the intersection of Montana
Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard reported arcing power lines about 7:10
a.m., a sign of shifting earth, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for
the Los Angeles Fire Department.


The collapse of the hill sent a large tree tumbling onto Sepulveda
Boulevard, which will be closed throughout the morning between Sunset
and Montana because of "pavement disruption" due to the landslide,"
Humphrey said.



Authorities on the scene said a water main break appeared to have
contributed to the collapse, although Humphrey cautioned that "the
cause will probably not be known for quite some time."



No one was reported injured and the damage appeared limited to one
home's backyard at this point, officials said. Although some residents
left voluntarily, no evacuations had been ordered.

405 and
Sepulveda traffic is also a mess due to a landslide where a "sizeable
amount" of soil moved onto Sepulveda, which is closed between Sunset
and Montana according to Humphrey. No injuries or formal evacuations
have been called for, but homes that sit on the bluff on Thurston Ave.
may do voluntary evacuations.