Landslides, also known as mudslides or debris flow, occur in all U.S. states and territories, and can be caused by a variety of factors including earthquakes, storms and fires. Landslides can occur quickly, often with little notice, and the best way to prepare is to stay informed about changes in and around your home that could signal that a landslide is likely to occur.
- Prepare for landslides by following proper land-use procedures - avoid building near steep slopes or along natural erosion valleys.
- Become familiar with the land around you. Learn whether debris flows have occurred in your area by contacting local officials. Slopes where debris flows have occurred in the past are likely to experience them in the future.
- Look for changes in landscape and water drainage, or new cracks in foundations and sidewalks.
- Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can better resist breakage.
- Watch the patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes near your home or business, and note especially the places where runoff water converges, increasing flow over soil-covered slopes. Watch the hillsides around your home or business for signs of land movement, such as small landslides or debris flows or progressively titling trees.
Stay informed
- Contact your local authorities to learn about the emergency–response and evacuation plans for your area and develop yourown emergency plans for your family and business.
- Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
For more detailed information on landslides, visit http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/landslides/ or http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/landslide.shtm.
