Tens of millions of dollars on the brink.
Historic storms that flooded California earlier this month caused a landslide that left three Dana Point homes dangerously exposed to the edge of a cliff just above the Pacific Ocean.
Following these bad weather, a huge part of the cliff located at the foot of the most expensive house in the complex fell away.
If the house, estimated at $15.9 million, is still safe according to the city, additional work will have to be undertaken so that it can withstand future storms.
Also read: Drought or flood: California, from one calamity to another
“It's going to require some very significant work to stabilize this property,” Kyle Tourjé, executive vice president of Alpha Structural, a Los Angeles engineering firm, told the Washington Post.
“After two consecutive years of major flooding, these homes, these properties simply cannot withstand this type of shock.
» Indeed, like last year at the same time, California is prey to the phenomenon of “Pineapple Express”, a vast corridor of rain which transports water vapor from the tropics from Hawaii.
🚨🇺🇸 $16 MILLION CALIFORNIA MANSION ABOUT TO FALL OFF A CLIFF INTO THE OCEAN pic.twitter.com/iVL7NE4C7w
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 13, 2024
“No imminent threat”
Despite warnings, Lewis Bruggeman, the owner of this sumptuous villa, refuses to move.
“The house is fine, it is not threatened,” the 82-year-old radiologist told KCAL media.
“The city agrees that there are no major structural issues with the house.
» Statements confirmed by the city manager of Dana Point, Mike Killebrew, who affirms that “there is no imminent threat to this house”.
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Lewis Bruggeman's residence is located next to two other residences, also threatened in the event of further bad weather, estimated at around $13 million, located slightly lower down, on a piece of cliff fortunately remaining in place.
The National Weather Service predicts more rain will hit the Los Angeles area next week, warning of more mudslides.