Debris Flow

Once the smoke clears from a wildfire, the danger is not over. Flash floods and debris flows—or mudflows—can be one of the most hazardous consequences of rainfall on burned hill slopes. Just a small amount of rainfall on a burned area can lead to these hazards. The powerful force of rushing water, soil, and rock, both within the burned area and downstream, can destroy culverts, bridges, roadways, and structures, and can result in injury or death. The U.S. Geological Landslides Hazards Program in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration strives to reduce loss of life and property to landslide hazards through improved understanding and effective mitigation. This is accomplished in three primary ways: development of improved approaches for landslide hazard assessments; post-disaster response; and public information and outreach.