2015 National Preparedness Month

 

During a Landslide

·         During a severe storm, stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.

·         Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings of heavy rainfall.

·         Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.

·         Move away from the path of a landslide or debris flow as quickly as possible. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching.

·         Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.

·         If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly.

·         Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible.

After a Landslide

·         Go to a designated public shelter if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).

·         Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.

·         Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.

·         Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.

·         Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.

·         Look for and 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.

·         Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.

·         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 will be able to advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.