
SAFETY PREPARATIONS BEFORE
LANDSLIDE
 Have your emergency kit ready.
 Find out if you live in an area where landslides
could potentially happen. Landslides may also
be referred to as mudslides, debris flows, mud
flows or debris avalanches.
 Listen to local news and weather reports for
any potential landslide watches and warnings
in your area.
 Talk with your family and neighbors about
what you would do during a landslide. Identify
a safe place to gather.
 Have practice drills with your family, so you
know what to do and are prepared.
 Become familiar with the land around where
you live and work so that you understand your
risk in different situations.
 Learn how to recognize the signs of potential
imminent landslides. This could include slope
cracks, slope bulges, an unusual seepage of
water on the slope, sudden changes in stream
flow and small rocks falling.
WHAT TO DO AFTER LANDSLIDE
 Listen to the radio, watch your local news
channels, and/or follow your local news outlet
and/or emergency officials on social media for
further instructions from officials and local
leaders.
 Stay away from the slide area until local
officials say it is safe to enter.
 Look for and report broken utility lines to
appropriate authorities. Reporting potential
hazards will get the utilities turned off as
quickly as possible, preventing further hazard
and injury.
 Check your home’s foundation, chimney and
surrounding land for damage.
 Replant damaged ground as soon as possible
because erosion caused by loss of ground cover
can lead to flash flooding.
 If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not
enter. Rely on the professionals to clear your
home for re-entry, if you are unsure.
WHY IS AWARENESS OF LANDSLIDE
IMPORTANT?
Awareness of landslides is vital for safeguarding
lives, property, and the environment. By
understanding the risks associated with
landslides, communities can implement proactive
measures to mitigate potential hazards, such as
developing evacuation plans and reinforcing
infrastructure. This knowledge also informs urban
planning and land development decisions, guiding
efforts to minimize vulnerability and economic
losses. Overall, awareness fosters resilience and
preparedness, empowering communities to
effectively respond to landslide events and build a
safer, more sustainable future.
BEFORE LANDSLIDE HAPPEN
Unusual sounds such as trees cracking or boulders
knocking together, might indicate moving debris. A
faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is
noticeable as the landslide nears.
LANDSLIDE
WHAT TO DO AFTER LANDSLIDE
 Listen to the radio, watch your local news
channels, and/or follow your local news outlet
and/or emergency officials on social media for
further instructions from officials and local
leaders.
 Stay away from the slide area until local
officials say it is safe to enter.
 Look for and report broken utility lines to
appropriate authorities. Reporting potential
hazards will get the utilities turned off as
quickly as possible, preventing further hazard
and injury.
 Check your home’s foundation, chimney and
surrounding land for damage.
 Replant damaged ground as soon as possible
because erosion caused by loss of ground cover
can lead to flash flooding.
 If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not
WHAT IS LANDSLIDE?
A landslide is the mass movement of rock, soil,
and debris down a slope due to gravity. It occurs
when the driving force is greater than the resisting
force. It is a natural process that occurs in steep
slopes. The movement may range from very slow to
rapid. It can affect areas both near and far from the
source.
HOW CAN IT BE TRIGGERED?
Landslides can be triggered by rainfall, snowmelt,
changes in water level, stream erosion, changes in
ground water, earthquakes, volcanic activity,
disturbance by human activities, or any combination
of these factors.