Landslide Preparedness
Know how to recognize the warning signs of a landslide. Fast-moving landslides: • Listen and watch for rushing water, mud, and unusual sounds like trees cracking or boulders knocking together. • A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears. • Moving fences, retaining walls, utility poles, k-rails, boulders, or trees. Slow-moving landslides: • Changes occur in your landscape such as patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes (especially the places where runoff water converges), land movement, small slides, flows, or progressively leaning trees. • Doors or windows stick or jam for the first time. • New cracks appear in plaster, tile, brick, or foundations. • Outside walls, walks, or stairs begin pulling away from the building. • Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways. • Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope. • Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations. • Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move. • The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet. • Underground utility lines break.