LAKEPORT, Calif. – County officials are planning a special meeting this Monday regarding the worsening situation at a north Lakeport subdivision, where a landslide continues to damage homes and could necessitate a temporary evacuation of all of the homes if infrastructure incurs any further damage.

In an effort to provide up to date information to all residents of the Lakeside Heights subdivision, the Lake County Office of Emergency Services will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, in the Lake County Board of Supervisors chambers, located on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.

This meeting is to inform residents of the ongoing slide situation, according to county public information officer Kevin Ingram.

Ingram said the Incident Command System has been put in place and multiple public agencies are actively monitoring conditions at the site and coordinating efforts daily. These agencies will be available to answer questions and provide information at this meeting.

To date, eight homes have been voluntarily or mandatorily evacuated, Ingram said.

The Community Development Department has initiated a summary abatement process for the home that has collapsed at 5396 Lancaster Road. However, at this time contractors have not been directed to begin demolition work due to potential safety concerns to workers and the possibility that the use of heavy equipment could possibly aggravate the slide area further, according to Ingram.

Three new additional residences along Lancaster Drive were notified of continued slide expansion and advised to voluntarily evacuate from their homes, he said.

The sewer system, which was damaged as part of the initial slide last month, continues to operate through the use of an emergency bypass system. Ingram said continued slide movement is now threatening the temporary system.

Ingram reported that Special Districts staff is diligently monitoring the situation and has implemented a plan to install a new temporary system within a week.

In the event the sewer system is compromised prior to the new installation, it will be necessary to cut off sewer and water service to the subdivision, resulting in a need for a temporary evacuation of all homes in the subdivision, Ingram said.

The Incident Command Team for the Lakeside Heights Slide is working with the Department of Social Services about the possible provision of temporary shelter for residents, Ingram said. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

He said Special Districts hopes to avoid the interruption of water and sewer service to residences of the Lakeside Heights subdivision but is compelled to provide residents with some advance warning and an opportunity to have an emergency evacuation plan in place if it should be needed.

Flyers containing information about the scheduled community meeting and information on the threat to the sewer system were distributed to residences in person Saturday afternoon, Ingram said.

Due to unstable soil conditions, the general public is being asked to not visit the slide area. Ingram said that activity around the area can accelerate the slide and poses a safety risk to those in the area.

Downing Drive and the remainder of internal subdivision roads remain open to local residents and emergency personnel vehicles only. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is providing additional patrols to the affected area, he said.

As of Saturday afternoon, the slide does not appear to be presenting an immediate threat to Hill Road, Ingram said.

The Department of Public Works continues to be ready to remove debris from Hill Road and Downing Drive if the slide should reach those points. Contingency plans are in place to ensure that access to Sutter Lakeside Hospital remains uninterrupted, Ingram said.