From LINKS Community Center
Created: 20 September 2023
Last edited: 23 October 2023
Last edited: 23 October 2023
Type:
WebsitePublishing Organisation:
U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityLanguages
- 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
- 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.
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