Oceanside CA— A mudslide early on Christmas morning has displaced four families. At 5 am, the fire department was requested to respond for a water issue at 509 Canyon Drive. Water was reported to be coming in through a rear wall of a downstairs unit in a four unit, two-story apartment complex. Upon the arrival of both the fire and police units, it was determined that a mudslide had occurred behind the complex involving an area of approximately 75’ long by 12’ wide. The mud had accumulated behind the apartment’s exterior wall before it pushed through the wall and into the units. Mud and water damage occurred in the two bottom units. The top two units were evacuated due to the structural damage in the lower units.
In looking for the cause of the mudslide, a water leak in a residential irrigation line was located above the apartment complex. The water to that residence was turned off and the house was evacuated due to concerns for the stability of the hill. An official from the City’s Building Department responded to the scene and red tagged the apartment complex after deeming it unsafe. Additionally, the residence above the complex on Maxon Street was also tagged for limited occupancy until a geologist can evaluate the slope.

The Red Cross responded to assist four displaced residents with temporary accommodations. The occupant of one of the four apartment units was not home at the time. The Property Management company will be assisting them in securing long-term accommodations. It is expected the residents in the apartments will be out of their units for an extended period of time. The residents in the house off Maxon did not need assistance from the Red Cross.
Representatives from the City’s Water Utilities Department evaluated all of the City’s water lines in the immediate area for any leaks or damage and found none.