BE PREPARED FOR A
LANDSLIDE
Landslides cause 25-50 deaths and more than a billion dollars in damage each year.
A landslide is rocks, earth, or other materials moving down a slope. A mudflow is a landslide that is combined with up to 60 percent water.
Can strike with little or no warning
Travel 55-110 miles per hour
Caused by rain, earthquakes, volcanoes, or changes to the land
Can result from flooding
IF YOU ARE UNDER A LANDSLIDE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
-

Evacuate early to avoid landslides risk.
-

Listen for emergency information and alerts.
-

Watch for signs of landslide.
-

Watch for flooding.
Hazard Scope and Impact
Debris flow causes a multitude of damages to local infrastructure, including roads and residences.
Death and Injuries Impact
Related studies from volcano activity rock and mudflows identified asphyxiation, trauma, and shock as primary causes of fatalities. Floodwaters associated with landslides also posed a high risk for fatality. The critical related causes of deaths and injuries identified for landslides included insufficient risk identification, lack of communication, and no official warning.
Effective Protective Action Timeframes
For fast landslides, advance professional review to avoid construction in hazard risk areas and monitoring of conditions of slopes to evacuate well in advance are identified as the most effective. Once a fast slide starts, “last resort” actions are very dependent on the size of the landslide and your location relative to the slide path.