Landslides

Landslides occur around the world in mainly mountainous and hilly areas all the way to the sea. They are a massive movement of rock, earth and debris moving down a slope or cliff. They may be very large with a lot of movement or very slow and can take a long time to settle.

• Storms
  
  
• Fires that strip the land of vegetation
  
  
• Human modification of the land
  
  
• Earthquakes
  
  
• Volcanic eruptions

Mudflows are rivers of rock, earth and other debris saturated with water. They develop when water rapidly accumulates in the ground when heavy rain or rapidly melting snow saturate the ground making it unstable and causing a flowing river of mud.

Rapidly moving mudflows can strike at any time with little or no warning. They can travel many miles from the source, growing in size while picking up boulders, trees, and just about anything in their path.

Land mismanagement especially in mountain, canyon and coastal regions can cause slide problems. Proper design, professional inspections and good land-use zoning can minimize problems.

• Get a geological survey done on your property.
  
  
• Avoid building near steep slopes, drainage ways, mountain edges or natural erosion valleys.
  
  
• Use flexible pipe fittings when installing gas and water pipes (use the Gas Company or professionals to install these fittings).
  
• Use a professional expert to advise you on any corrective measures concerning drainage, erosion or any structural concerns.

• Check for any new cracks that have appeared in the foundation, brick, tile or plaster in and around your home.
  
  
• Notice any changes in your landscape, such as drainage problems, small slides, land movement or leaning trees.
  
  
• If you notice that any of your doors or windows are sticking or jamming.
  
  
• Breakage on any underground utility lines.
  
  
• At the base of a slope, bulging ground appears.
  
  
• Walks, walls or any outside stairs begin pulling away from your house.
  
  
• Widening new cracks in the ground, driveway or street.
  
  
• In a new location, water breaks through the ground surface.
  
  
• Tilting fences, utility poles, retaining walls or trees.
  
  
• A rumbling sound that increases in volume.
  
  
• Ground that feels unstable and may slope downward in one direction.
  
  
• Sounds like trees cracking or boulders knocking together.

• As quickly as possible move away from its path.
  
  
• If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball to protect your head.

• Keep out of the immediate slide area. There is a danger of additional slides.
  
  
• Stay away from broken electrical, water, gas, damaged roadways and sewage lines.
  
  
• Watch for anyone that might be trapped or injured and direct rescuers to their location.
  
  
• Consult a geotechnical expert for evaluating and designing corrective measures.