Protect Yourself From Landslides

You will survive a minor landslide, But?

If a landslide hits your area, here is a list of how it may affect you. In the good case scenario, It won’t affect you very much. In the worst case scenario, it could damage a lot.

• In the United States, landslides and debris slides kill 25 to 50 people every year. Chances are that you will survive a minor landslide without so much as muddy feet on the way to your house. PROTECT YOURSELF: Research the area you live in to see if you are at landslide risk. Are there intense storms and strong rainfall? Do you live in an area close to the ocean, prone to wildfires or on a side of a hill, close to a lake or a dam? Were there any major landslides in the recent years?
• Landslides can bring a huge mass of debris literally to your backyard. One of the worst effects is the rock, stone and wood mess that will cover roads, freeways, paths, and sometimes even houses and whole buildings.

PROTECT YOURSELF:

Prepare at least two evacuation routes in case one of them will be blocked by debris. If you are inside a building during a landslide, hide under a piece of sturdy furniture. If you are outside, run away from the path of the landslide. If you really can not escape the mud, curl into a ball and protect your head.

• If a landslide blocks a road or damages a part of a road, the access to necessary supplies such as groceries, water or medical care may be difficult.

  PROTECT YOURSELF:

  Stock up on necessary food, water and medication supplies to last you for at least a couple of days until the infrastructure will be repaired.
• Depending on the area you live in, the landslide may destroy any wiring and poles that supply water, electricity, gas or internet to your house.

  PROTECT YOURSELF:

  Have emergency plan ready and make sure all your family members are familiar with this plan.
• You can lose your house or your possessions in the landslide.

  PROTECT YOURSELF:

  Have an emergency pack of all the important documents stored in a waterproof case you can just grab with you when you have to evacuate. Make certified copies of all your documents and store them on a secure place outside your home. Purchase insurance on your house that covers damage caused by a landslide. And remember, save lives, not things. Everything is replaceable except your life.