LANDSLIDES - Precautions and behaviour

   Website
   https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow
   U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   [[Content::Before a Landslide

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property from the effects of a landslide or debris flow:

• Build an emergency kit.
• Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do and where to go in the event of a landslide.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system.
• Leave if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home.
• Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can resist breakage better.
• Protect your property based on recommendations from a qualified geotechnical professional and/or local city/county guidance on protection from debris flow and flooding.
  • You can't stop or change the path of a debris flow.
  • However, you may be able to protect your property from floodwaters or mud by use of sandbags, retaining walls or equivalent.
• In mud and debris flow areas, consider building channels or deflection walls to try to direct the flow around buildings.
• Be aware, however, that when a flow is big enough, it goes where it pleases.
• Also, you may be liable for damages if you divert a flow and it flows on a neighbor's property.
• Talk to your insurance agent if you are at risk from a landslide.

During a Landslide

• Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings.
• Always follow the instructions from local emergency managers.
  • They provide the latest recommendations based on the threat in your community.
• Stay alert and awake during a storm that could cause a landslide.
  • Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
• Be aware that by the time you are sure a debris flow is coming, it will be too late to get away safely.
• Never cross a road with water or mud flowing.
• Never cross a bridge if you see a flow approaching because it can grow faster and larger too quickly for you to escape.
• If you do get stuck in the path of a landslide move uphill as quickly as possible.
• Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas during times of danger.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow or water that changes from clear to muddy. These can be signs that a landslide is coming.

After a Landslide

• Stay away from the slide area.
• aThere may be danger coming from additional slides.
• Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
• Watch for flooding.
  • Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same conditions.
• Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. * * * * Direct rescuers to their locations.
• Report broken utility lines and damaged roadways and railways to appropriate authorities.
  • Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
• Allow trained professionals to check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage.
• Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding and additional landslides in the near future.
• Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk.
  • A professional can advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.]]

   Landslide
   After, Before, During
   English

View all Crisis Communication

Created: 20 September 2023
Last edited: 23 October 2023

Type:

Website

Publishing Organisation:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Languages

• English

Scenarios

• Landslide

Disaster Management Phase

After, Before, During

Before a Landslide

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property from the effects of a landslide or debris flow:

• Build an emergency kit.
• Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do and where to go in the event of a landslide.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system.
• Leave if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home.
• Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can resist breakage better.
• Protect your property based on recommendations from a qualified geotechnical professional and/or local city/county guidance on protection from debris flow and flooding.
  • You can't stop or change the path of a debris flow.
  • However, you may be able to protect your property from floodwaters or mud by use of sandbags, retaining walls or equivalent.
• In mud and debris flow areas, consider building channels or deflection walls to try to direct the flow around buildings.
• Be aware, however, that when a flow is big enough, it goes where it pleases.
• Also, you may be liable for damages if you divert a flow and it flows on a neighbor's property.
• Talk to your insurance agent if you are at risk from a landslide.

During a Landslide

• Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings.
• Always follow the instructions from local emergency managers.
  • They provide the latest recommendations based on the threat in your community.
• Stay alert and awake during a storm that could cause a landslide.
  • Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
• Be aware that by the time you are sure a debris flow is coming, it will be too late to get away safely.
• Never cross a road with water or mud flowing.
• Never cross a bridge if you see a flow approaching because it can grow faster and larger too quickly for you to escape.
• If you do get stuck in the path of a landslide move uphill as quickly as possible.
• Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas during times of danger.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow or water that changes from clear to muddy. These can be signs that a landslide is coming.

After a Landslide

• Stay away from the slide area.
• aThere may be danger coming from additional slides.
• Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
• Watch for flooding.
  • Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same conditions.
• Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. * * * * Direct rescuers to their locations.
• Report broken utility lines and damaged roadways and railways to appropriate authorities.
  • Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
• Allow trained professionals to check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage.
• Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding and additional landslides in the near future.
• Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk.
  • A professional can advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.

Source

https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow