Concern as multimillion-pound mansions are spotted hanging dangerously off the edge of cliff

A trio of multimillion-pound mansions can be seen 'hanging off a cliff' thanks to recent heavy rainfall in California.

The properties - thought to be worth up to $15.9 million (£12.5 million) each - are located on Scenic Drive, Dana Point.

Due to recent heavy rain in the region, the gardens of the properties appear to have been washed away, leaving them teetering on the edge of a cliff.

Footage of the current conditions were captured by ABC7's helicopter this week.

“I would be concerned if I lived in one of those homes,” Dana Point resident Jan Cocchiara told the local news station.

“I don’t know if it’s because of all the development that the hill’s been compromised.”

Despite the worrying appearance of the properties, the city of Dana Point has said all three homes are safe and not in any danger.

Manager Mike Killebrew told the Orange County Register: “There are no structures jeopardized at this point, and it looks like no impact on the lateral beach access."

ABC7

One local, who did not want to be interviewed, said his property was secure and had not been red-tagged.

Red tagging is when a property is considered to be unsafe by authorities.

The term comes from the colour of the notice that is posted on the building. It can happen as a result of environmental issues, fire damage or other natural disasters.

"I'm not an engineer," Cocchiara said.

"I don't know what needs to be done, but apparently something is going to happen. I guess we'll find out."

The rainfall in California has been breaking records over the last few months.

Figures from the beginning of February show rainfall topping 14 inches in areas of Santa Monica and San Gabriel, meanwhile nearly half of the average rainfall for the entire season fell in just two days on Sunday February 4 and Monday, February 5.

In fact, the past 12 months have been some of the wettest on record in the state.

ABC7

According to reports, however, the region is currently experiencing a break in the wet weather.

"The conditions have been much drier over the past 3 or 5 days," Daniel Swain, a climate scientist for the University of California, told ABC7.

"In fact, almost the whole state has seen a nice, three to five-day window of dry and warmer conditions. That's helping out a lot, letting creeks recede, letting hillsides dry out a little bit, although they are still, in most cases, saturated in all coastal areas."