Authorities have officially declared a permanent, year-round evacuation warning for the coastal community of La Conchita. This shift in terminology was announced during a virtual town hall meeting held on January 21, 2026.
The decision was driven by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. Officials want to clarify the constant danger posed by the unstable hillside looming over the village.
La Conchita is a small seaside community north of Ventura with roughly 300 residents. It has a tragic history of catastrophic landslides, including major events in 1995 and 2005.
Emergency Services Director Patrick Maynard explained that public agencies cannot accurately predict when the ground will fail. The hillside remains saturated and vulnerable to sudden movement at any time.
The recent rainy season has been particularly intense for the area. By early January 2026, local gauges recorded over 16 inches of rain. This is already well above the average for an entire year.
Geologists use specific triggers to measure risk in the area. These include receiving 15 inches of rain in a month or 8 inches in just two weeks. Both of these thresholds were approached recently.
The new year-round warning means the threat is not yet "imminent," but residents must be prepared to leave instantly. Authorities plan to install permanent signs in the neighborhood to warn visitors of the risk.
During the town hall, experts noted that landslides do not always offer visible warning signs. Debris can move rapidly, leaving very little time for official alerts to reach homeowners.
For now, county agencies are using drones and ground sensors to monitor slope stability. However, they are urging residents to be their "eyes and ears" and to prioritize safety over property.
The permanent warning will remain in place indefinitely as a geological hazard advisory. Residents are encouraged to maintain an emergency go-kit and stay registered for local VC Alert messages.