As more residents of La Conchita trickled in to collect their belongings or search for missing pets, Southern California Edison crews spent Monday installing new utility poles with the hope of restoring power to parts of the mudslide-ravaged hamlet by today.

At least three poles were installed, and more were expected to be set up this morning, according to David Johnson of Southern California Edison.

"Once the power poles are in place, stringing conductor (cable) is relatively easy," he said.

Homes in the tiny coastal community's northernmost three blocks could receive electricity first, Johnson said, but he added that inspectors and emergency officials would have to examine each house before power is restored -- a process that could take another day.

The community of 200 homes has been without utilities since a massive landslide killed 10 people Jan. 10. At least 400,000 tons of mud and debris collapsed from the 600-foot cliff behind the town.

The prospect of power was an uplifting sign for residents Gordon and Arna Crittenden, but not enough to convince the couple to return -- for now -- to their one-bedroom bungalow on San Fernando Avenue, which was undamaged.

"For me, I want gas, water and power before I feel comfortable moving back," said Arna Crittenden, 48, a food service employee for the Carpinteria Unified School District. Until then, the couple will stay at a nearby hotel room being paid for with relief funds. They had returned Monday to search for their cat, Kermie, a calico who hasn't been seen since the slide.

Although power could return today to some homes, it could be up to a week before gas is turned on and possibly two to four weeks before running water is restored. Potable water was available Monday outside the town's lone general store and gas station. Another delivery also arrived at the store: a box of lottery tickets that were set aside until the store's owner came to collect them.

Firefighters continued to monitor the hillside, which geologists have warned is still unstable, said Joe Luna, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. A steel fence was installed in front of the earthen mound to keep people out.

Although debris removal was shut down for Monday's holiday, about 45 dump trucks and several loaders were expected to be on site this morning to begin hauling away more than 5,000 tons of mud and debris to the Toland Road landfill in Santa Paula and another in Buellton, Luna said.