What are the warning signs of a landslide?

USGS lists several signs: new cracks or bulges in the ground, soil pulling away from a foundation, doors or windows that suddenly stick, leaning trees or utility poles, and streams that suddenly turn muddy or change flow. Any one of these on land that has slid before is worth a closer look.

How fast can a debris flow travel?

According to USGS, debris flows can travel at speeds up to and exceeding 35 miles per hour. Because they can move that quickly, waiting until you are certain one is coming is often too late to get away safely.

Which direction should I move if I am caught near a landslide?

Move uphill and away from the path of the slide as quickly as you can. Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas, since debris flows tend to follow drainage channels downhill.

Why do so many landslide deaths happen at night?

Ready.gov notes that many landslide and debris-flow deaths occur while people are sleeping. During intense or prolonged rain, staying alert and awake gives you a better chance of noticing the warning signs in time to move.

Is it safe to go back into my home after a landslide?

Not until a qualified professional has checked the foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Additional slides are common in the same location, and hidden structural damage may not be obvious right away.

Landslide Preparedness Checklist — Before, During & After

Phase 1

Before a landslide. Learn your land.

Some landslides give warning signs over days or weeks. Others move without any notice at all. Knowing your land and your route matters more than knowing the exact moment one might start.

Home Protection

Check your land for landslide warning signs: new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in drainage patterns, especially on ground that has slid before

Evacuation

Pack a 72-hour bag for each person in your household: medication, a change of clothes, document copies, water, and a phone charger
Identify your household meeting point and one out-of-area contact
Map two evacuation routes toward higher, more stable ground and drive or walk them before you need them

Communications

Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone in your household
Get a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio for warnings of intense rainfall

Documents and Insurance

Make a photo or video walkthrough of your home and belongings, stored in the cloud
Review your insurance policy and know your coverage limits. Landslide damage is often excluded from standard policies

Medical

Get a complete first aid kit and check expiration dates yearly

Phase 2

During a landslide. By the time you are sure, it is often too late.

Debris flows can move faster than a person can run. Acting on a warning sign, rather than waiting to confirm it, is what keeps people safe.

Recognizing Movement

Listen for unusual sounds: cracking trees, knocking boulders, or a faint rumble that grows louder
Watch nearby streams for a sudden change from clear to muddy water, or a sudden rise or drop in flow
Stay alert and awake during heavy or prolonged rain. Most debris-flow deaths happen while people are sleeping

If a Landslide Is Moving

Move uphill and away from the path as quickly as you can. Do not wait to be certain
Never cross a road or bridge with water or mud flowing across it. A flow can grow too fast and large to outrun
If you cannot get out, move to the highest level of your home, away from the slide path

Phase 3

After a landslide. The same slope can move again.

A slope that has already failed once is more likely to fail again, especially if the storm that caused it is still ongoing.

Immediate Safety

Stay away from the slide area. Additional slides are common in the same location
Watch for flooding. Floods often follow landslides and debris flows triggered by the same storm
Check for injured or trapped people near the slide without entering the slide area yourself. Direct rescuers to their location instead
Report broken utility lines and damaged roads to local authorities right away

Recovery and Documentation

Have a qualified professional check your foundation, chimney, and surrounding land before assuming it is safe
Photograph all damage before moving or cleaning anything for your insurance claim
Contact your insurance company to open a claim promptly
Replant bare ground as soon as it is safe. Erosion from a bare slope raises the risk of another slide

Gear

Still need to get equipped? Start here.

A few items do most of the work for a household on or below a slope. These are the ones worth having ready.

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Landslide Preparedness Checklist. Before, during, and after.