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Emergency Preparedness and Response: Landslides and Mudslides

Preparing for a Landslide or Mudslide

On this page, you’ll find information about how to prepare for a landslide or mudslide and what actions to take when they occur. Use these resources to guide your actions before and during a landslide or mudslide to stay informed and safe. You’ll learn:

  1. How to Know the Risks
  2. How to Protect Yourself
  3. How to Stay Alert

Note: This is neither a comprehensive nor a step-by-step list. All topics are important to consider when preparing for landslides and mudslides.

How to Know the Risks

Landslides are more common in mountainous regions, coastal cliffs, and areas with loose or disturbed soil. Evaluate your risk by consulting local geological hazard maps and speaking with regional emergency management offices. You can find an emergency management office specific to your area at USA.gov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides descriptions of areas more likely to experience landslides or mudslides. [url; CDC]

Some areas include:

  • Areas where wildfires or human modification of the land have destroyed vegetation.
  • Areas where landslides have occurred before.
  • Steep slopes and areas at the bottom of slopes or canyons.
  • Slopes that have been altered for construction of buildings and roads.
  • Channels along a stream or river.
  • Areas where surface runoff is directed.

Warning signs of an impending landslide:

  • Cracks appearing in the ground or on building walls.
  • Sudden changes in water flow or new springs emerging on the slope.
  • Unusual rumbling or noises indicating ground movement.

 

Prepare for an emergency:

  • Assemble an emergency kit: Include essentials such as water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, and important documents.
  • Create an evacuation plan: Know the safest routes away from landslide-prone areas and practice your evacuation plan with family members.
  • Stay informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts and weather updates to stay aware of conditions that could trigger a landslide.

Note: This is not a complete or comprehensive list.

The resources provided below will give you information on how to protect yourself before a landslide or mudslide.

How to Protect Yourself

Depending on how much time you have, you may need to take shelter in your home. You will need the supplies you gathered for survival in the event that you cannot evacuate for multiple days or weeks. Take safety precautions to ensure that your home is not exposed to the elements. CDC provides a list of steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your family before a landslide or mudslide. [url; CDC]

  • Assume that steep slopes and areas burned by wildfires are vulnerable to landslides and debris flows.
  • Contact local authorities about emergency and evacuation plans.
  • Develop emergency and evacuation plans for your family and business.
  • Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated.
  • If you live in an area vulnerable to landslides, consider moving elsewhere.
  • Contact local authorities, a county geologist or the county planning department, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, or university departments of geology.

Note: This is not a complete or comprehensive list.

How to Stay Alert

Landslides and mudslides can be activated by natural disasters. You must carefully evacuate with your family, pets, and any supplies you can carry. CDC provides a list of steps that can be taken to stay alert during intense storms and rainfall. [url; CDC]

  • Listen to the radio or watch TV for warnings about intense rainfall or for information and instructions from local officials.
  • Be aware of any sudden increase or decrease in water level on a stream or creek that might indicate debris flow upstream. A trickle of flowing mud may precede a larger flow.
  • Look for tilted trees, telephone poles, fences, or walls, and for new holes or bare spots on hillsides.
  • Listen for rumbling sounds that might indicate an approaching landslide or mudslide.
  • Be alert when driving. Roads may become blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
  • Getting out of the path of a debris flow is your best protection. Move to the nearest high ground in a direction away from the path.
  • If rocks and debris are approaching, run for the nearest shelter and take cover (if possible, under a desk, table, or other piece of sturdy furniture).

Note: This is not a complete or comprehensive list.

 

Latest page update: July 31, 2025.