Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Rocked by Early Morning Landslide [Sherman Oaks, LA]

SHERMAN OAKS, CA (March 13, 2024) — In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a devastating landslide tore through a Sherman Oaks neighborhood, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The incident, occurring around 3 a.m. on the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue near Rand Drive, resulted in significant damage to two homes, with the force of the slide pushing dirt through structures and causing a swimming pool to crack severely.

Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Weireter reported that the Sherman Oaks landslide originated from land beneath a home above Ventura Canyon, impacting the homes below. One of the homes, which was undergoing renovations, suffered extensive damage, leading to its red-tagging by authorities, indicating it is unsafe to enter. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as no one was inside the red-tagged home at the time of the slide.

Efforts to mitigate further damage included firefighters using pumps to drain a swimming pool above the slide, aiming to lighten the load on the compromised infrastructure. The other affected homes were yellow-tagged, signaling caution, and evacuated, with hopes of allowing residents to return once safety assessments are completed.

Building and safety inspectors, alongside Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, are evaluating the neighborhood to identify any additional homes at risk. The cause of the landslide is currently under investigation, and residents are advised to have evacuation plans prepared.