For Palisadians to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Current Most Relevant Links:

👷 Debris Removal & Right of Entry Forms (For Phase 2 Cleanup)

‎‍💼 Debris Removal Private Permits The first edition of the Palisades Fire Debris Removal permit will be available via the County’s EPIC-LA system (epicla.lacounty.gov). Updates will be provided at recovery.lacounty.gov.

🗺️ Current EPA Status Map (Search Your Address For Phase 1 Status)

💰 Issues with Insurance? Visit the gov resource center or call 1-800-927-4357

🏊 Got a pool? Pool Drainage Guidance

🏗️ Start the rebuild? The Rebuild Handbook by RebuildLAArchitecture.com

Updates:

Some main updates from the 2/13 PPCC meeting:

• 12:33:20 🏢 A One-Stop permitting shop has opened to streamline the rebuilding process for affected residents.
• 16:27:06 🚜 Debris removal is underway with Army Corp handling phase two, allowing affected residents to progress with rebuilding.
• 21:46:03 ⚡ Power restoration is complete in the Palisades and additional support centers are opening to assist with rebuilding and economic impacts.
• 25:38:30 🌧️ Due to rain and mudslides, PCH is closed to non-emergency traffic, and residents are advised against unnecessary travel.
• 25:52 🚫 Residents are discouraged from entering the Palisades without a resident pass, contractor passes unavailable. Evacuation orders exist for specific areas.
• 27:07 🔄 A One-Stop permitting location at the Palisades Recreation Center is planned but currently not feasible due to restricted access and utility use.
• 31:06 🌧️ Heavy rainfall causing debris flow and potential flooding in the Palisades, teams are monitoring and addressing issues.
• 32:11 🌳 Urban Forestry is not yet active in the area; unclear who is handling tree removals.
• 38:10 🌊 Black soot water from storm runoff impacting Santa Monica Canyon; cleanup efforts in progress but challenging.
• 45:57 🌱 Residents in remaining homes want testing assurance to ensure safe living conditions but guidance is unclear.
• 51:15 🌳 The committee agrees to preserve surviving trees unless they're a danger to people.
• 52:07 💡 Questions are raised about the timing of restoring infrastructure like power lines after the fire.
• 52:38 🔌 Power has been restored, mostly above ground, while undergrounding is a desire but lacks a timeline.
• 53:46 🚽 Sewer infrastructure is currently functional, with ongoing repairs and inspections.
• 57:06 🌀 Sanitation guidelines for contaminated pool water will be released, involving draining protocols and reservations.
• 01:00:15 📋 Confirmation that the pool drainage reservation system will regulate sewer line capacity.
• 01:01:18 🌧️ Pools opting into Army Corps' Phase Two may use water as a wetting agent for dust control.
• 01:02:12 💻 Recovery information for the Palisades is available on lacounty.gov and city sites.
• 01:04:10 🚧 A sinkhole due to a water main break is undergoing standard street repair processes.
• 01:10:17 🔍 Ongoing issues with Las Casas streets are acknowledged for future infrastructure repairs.
  

2/14 Warning: Roadblocks and mudslides due to rain may block entry. Mudslides have closed many areas of PCH and Palisades Drive. Residents recommended to stay inside.

2/11

👷 According to the Mayor's office, Debris Phase 2 Cleanup is starting this week (via PPCC newsletter.)

Mayor Bass Community Briefing: Tuesday, February 11, 5pm via Zoom.  Topics to include: one stop permitting center to open this week; restoration of power and ongoing water testing; preparations ahead of the storm. 

Community Webinar with EPA & FEMA: Tuesday, February 11, 6-7:30pm via Zoom.  Hosted by CW Park/CD 11.  The meeting will include information about the storage of hazardous waste at Will Rogers. 

Fire Recovery Town Hall:  Wednesday, February 12, 6pm, via Zoom.  Hosted by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang will join the Supervisor, along with representatives of County Public Works, Public Health, the EPA, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Insurance Commissioner.

PPCC Board Meeting: Thursday, February 13th, via Zoom. Joined by key city officials, including Vahid Khorsand (LA City Board of Public Works President), Ted Allen (City Engineer & Debris Manager), and Julie Allen (LA Sanitation Assistant GM & Watershed Protection Task Force Chair), along with other potential agency heads. They’ll update us on public infrastructure recovery and answer our questions. Full agenda.

2/4

Pacific Coast Highway Closing Due to Storms

🚧 Closure Starts: Tuesday, February 4 at 3 p.m.
🚧 Who Can Pass: Only essential workers (first responders, utility crews, recovery teams)
🚧 Closure Area: Chautauqua Blvd (Los Angeles) to Carbon Beach Terrace (Malibu)

The highway is closing as a precaution due to expected storms that could cause mudslides and debris flows. Residents can access homes via Chautauqua Blvd with proper passes. The closure will last until at least Friday, February 7, when conditions will be reassessed.

Special Meeting on the Recovery Process with Steve Soboroff

Tuesday, February 4, 2025
6pm - 8pm
Via Zoom Webinar

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84111605841

2/1 (9pm PT) - Update: Mayor Bass backs down from removing checkpoints.

2/1 - LAPD Surge for Palisades Reopening

Mayor Karen Bass announced a zero tolerance LAPD surge for Sunday’s 8:00 AM reopening of the Palisades. 33 patrol cars will be deployed 24/7, along with automated license plate readers. A command post will be set up at Will Rogers State Beach, with a strike force patrolling the area.

Key Updates:

• Checkpoints on PCH removed at 8:00 AM Sunday.
• Governor Newsom deploying CHP officers every half-mile along PCH.
• Extreme caution advised due to hazardous materials, unstable buildings, and active construction.
• One lane open in each direction on PCH with a 25 mph speed limit and flashing red signals.

Debris Removal Progress:

• EPA assessing over 2,115 parcels and removing hazardous materials.
  

The reopening will be closely monitored by city, state, and federal agencies. Expect extreme congestion—avoid the area if possible.

1/31 - From Karen Bass:

I am holding a virtual community meeting this afternoon, Friday, January 31 at 3:00 PM to share plans to safely lift restrictions in the Palisades as we continue to rebuild this community together.

 SIGN UP FOR THE COMMUNITY MEETING

Joining me are Councilwoman Traci Park, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

1/30 - Thursday, January 30, at 5:00 PM, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will host a virtual town hall to answer questions about insurance. Sign up here.

1/28 - Debris Town Hall was held. Watch the briefing recording here.

Here's what the Circling the News had to say.

Debris removal and right of entry forms for Phase 2 removal: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/

This is not first come first served, however best to stay ahead of these things and do them as they come so you don’t let things slip by.

Note: even if you want to speed up things on your own with your own debris removal, I would suggest opting-in to the debris removal process and then opting out later once you have the pricing and service provider for the job.

1/26 - Debris Removal Town Hall Recording Summary and Timestamps

1/24 - Trump's Palisades Briefing Summary and Timestamps

1/23 - PPCC Fire Meeting Summary and Timestamps

1/24 - Filing and payment relief

Affected individuals and businesses will have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

This means, for example, that the Oct. 15, 2025, deadline will now apply to:

• Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.

• 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.

• 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2025.

• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31, 2025.

• Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 17, 2025.

• Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
• Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2025.
  
  

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If you're interested in potentially selling your property and want resources: Get email updates here. I'll try to send helpful info on selling your lot, what other neighbors are being offered, new regulations, and new resources to help you get the most for your property.

Join a private directory for Palisadians who want to sell or buy lots here.

(Note: Please try to keep this within the community.)

Use this link to join the specific WhatsApp groups for insurance (this has been expanded)

Potential Sources of Liquidity Ideas from Goldman Sachs

Upfront Claim Payment: California has declared a state of emergency, and insurance companies may be required to make an upfront payment of 1/3 the estimated value of your personal belongings (also known as contents) and a minimum of four months’ rent in your local area.

Disaster Loans: Low-interest loans in declared disasters areas are available to homeowners, renters, small business owners, and private nonprofit organizations. See the US Small Business Administration.

Lines of Credit: Speak with your advisor about a line of credit secured by your investments. This is often called a "Pledged asset line."

Life Insurance Loans: Contact your insurance agent for information about loans that may be available against the cash value of life insurance policies.

Access to Retirement Plan Funds: The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 created easier access to retirement assets for victims of federally declared disasters — including relaxed loan, distribution, and repayment rules. Loans from a retirement plan are generally limited to the lesser of $50K or 50% of the account balance.

Employer Assistance Opportunities: In the aftermath of a national disaster, employers may provide assistance to their employees — including penalty-free retirement plan distribution options and charitable relief funds.

Rebuilding Reminders

• Seek out first-hand referrals for architects and general contractors through friends, community, and trusted advisors.
• Avoid contractors who demand large upfront payments or pressure you into quick decisions.

1/15/25

Stores in Century City Mall Offering Discounts for Fire Victims:

- Vuori (40%) - ask if they are still doing donations as they've given out many

- Banana Republic (40%)

- Travis Matthews (40%)

- Levi's (30%)

- Stance (30%)

- Bloomingdale's (25%)

- Lululemon (25%)

- Alo (15%)

- Aritzia (20%)

1/14/25

Ask your insurer to advance 4 months of living expenses, and 30% of your personal property limits up to $250,000. Your insurer is required to provide you this under California law.

Insurance Regulations In Place to Protect You (From the Beverly Hills Bar Association):

1) Insurer must advance 4 months of ALE immediately when you lose your home in a declared

state of emergency. CA Ins. Code 2061 (a)(1).

2) If you don’t want to rebuild, you can use ALL of your coverages, including extended

replacement coverage and building code upgrades, to purchase a new home or rebuild. Cal

Ins. Code 2051.5 (c); CA Ins. Code 10103.7(a)

3) Insurer cannot deduct the value of your land from a replacement home purchased. Cal Ins.

Code 2051.5 (c)(2)