60 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 61 up trees, large boulders, cars, and other Landslides and materials along the way. Landslide, mudflow, and debris-flow problems are occasionally caused by land Debris Flow mismanagement. Improper land-use practices on ground of questionable sta- (Mudslide) bility, particularly in mountain, canyon, and coastal regions, can create and accel- erate serious landslide problems. Land- use zoning, professional inspections, and proper design can minimize many land- slide, mudflow, and debris flow problems. What to do before a landslide or debris flow 1. Contact your local emergency man- agement office or American Red Cross chapter for information on local land- slide and debris flow hazards. 2. Get a ground assessment of your property. • County or state geological experts, local planning department or de- andslides occur in all U.S. states partments of natural resources may and territories and occur when have specific information on areas Lmasses of rock, earth, or debris vulnerable to land slides. Consult move down a slope. Landslides may be an appropriate professional expert small or large, and can move at slow or for advice on corrective measures very high speeds. They are activated by you can take. storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires and by human modification of the 3. Minimize home hazards. land. • Plant ground cover on slopes and build retaining walls. Debris and mud flows are rivers of rock, earth, and other debris saturated with • In mudflow areas, build channels water. They develop when water rapidly or deflection walls to direct the flow accumulates in the ground, during heavy around buildings. rainfall or rapid snowmelt, changing the • Remember: If you build walls to earth into a flowing river of mud or “slur- divert debris flows and the flow ry.” They can flow rapidly down slopes lands on a neighbor’s property, you or through channels, and can strike with may be liable for damages. Explore little or no warning at avalanche speeds. a neighborhood or special district They can also travel several miles from project. their source, growing in size as they pick FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 62 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 63 • Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid • Underground utility lines break. gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings • Bulging ground appears at the base are more resistant to breakage. of a slope. 4. Familiarize yourself with your sur- • Water breaks through the ground rounding area. surface in new locations. • Small changes in your local land- scape could alert you to the potential • Fences, retaining walls, utility of greater future threat. poles, or trees tilt or move. • Observe the patterns of storm-water • You hear a faint rumbling sound drainage on slopes and especially that increases in volume as the the places where runoff water con- landslide nears. verges. • The ground slopes downward in • Watch for any sign of one specific direction and may land movement, such begin shifting in that direction as small slides, flows, Landslides under your feet. or progressively leaning and flows can trees, on the hillsides provoke such near your home. dangers as What to do during 5. Be particularly observant broken electrical, a heightened threat of your surrounding area water, gas, and before and during in- sewage lines, (intense storm) of tense storms that could and disrupted landslide or debris flow heighten the possibility of landslide or debris flow roadways and 1. Listen to radio or television from heavy rains. Many railways. for warning of intense rainfall. debris flow fatalities occur • Be prepared to evacuate if when people are sleeping. instructed by local authorities or if you feel threatened. 6. Talk to your insurance agent. Debris flow may be covered by flood insurance • Should you remain at home, move policies from the National Flood Insur- to a second story if possible to dis- ance Program (NFIP). tance yourself from the direct path of debris flow and landslide debris. 7. Learn to recognize landslide warning signs. 2. Be alert when intense, short bursts of rain follow prolonged heavy rains or • Doors or windows stick or jam for damp weather, which increase risks of the first time. debris flows. • New cracks appear in plaster, tile, 3. Listen for any unusual sounds that brick, or foundations. might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking • Outside walls, walks, or stairs be- together. A trickle of flowing or falling gin pulling away from the building. mud or debris may precede larger land- • Slowly developing, widening cracks slides. Moving debris can flow quickly appear on the ground or on paved and sometimes without warning. areas such as streets or driveways. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 62 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 63 4. If you are near a stream or channel, be 3. Help a neighbor who may require spe- alert for sudden increases or decreas- cial assistance—large families, chil- es in water flow and for a change from dren, elderly people, and people with clear to muddy water. Such changes disabilities. may indicate landslide activity up- 4. Listen to local radio or television stream. Be prepared to move quickly. stations for the latest emergency 5. Be especially alert when driving. information. Embankments along roadsides are 5. Landslides and flows can provoke asso- particularly susceptible to landslides. ciated dangers such as broken electri- Watch for collapsed pavement, mud, cal, water, gas, and sewage lines, and fallen rocks, and other indications of disrupt roadways and railways. possible debris flows. • Look for and report broken util- 6. Evacuate when ordered by local au- ity lines to appropriate authorities. thorities. See the “Evacuation” chap- Reporting potential hazards will get ter for more information. the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard What to do during a and injury. • Check the building foundation, landslide or debris flow chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, 1. Quickly move away from the path of chimneys, or surrounding land may a landslide or debris flow. help you assess the safety of the 2. Areas generally considered safe area. include: 6. Watch for flooding, which may occur • Areas that have not moved in the after a landslide or debris flow. Floods past sometimes follow landslides and debris • Relatively flat-lying areas away from flows because they may both be started drastic changes in slope by the same event. • Areas at the top of or along ridges 7. Replant damaged ground as soon as set back from the tops of slopes. possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding 3. If escape is not possible, curl into a and additional landslides in the near tight ball and protect your head. future. 8. Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert What to do after a for evaluating landslide hazards or de- landslide or debris flow signing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be 1. Stay away from the slide area. There able to advise you of the best ways to may be danger of additional slides. prevent or reduce landslide risk, with- out creating further hazard. 2. Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the 9. See the “Recovering From Disaster” direct slide area. Direct rescuers to chapter for more information. their locations. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.