NIMS Integration Center 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
500 C Street, SW 

Fact Sheet 

Washington, DC 20472 

Landslides 



Landslides occur in all U.S. states and territories. In a landslide, masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope. 
Landslides may be small or large, slow or rapid. They are activated by storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires, 
and human modification of land. 

Debris and mud flows are rivers of rock, earth, and other debris saturated with water. They develop when water 
rapidly accumulates in the ground, during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, changing the earth into a flowing river 
of mud or “slurry.” They can flow rapidly, striking with little or no warning at avalanche speeds. They also can 
travel several miles from their source, growing in size as they pick up trees, boulders, cars, and other materials. 

Know Your Risk and What to Do 

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Contact your local emergency management office to learn about community emergency plans and what you 
should include in yours. 
. 
Get additional information from the U.S. Geological Survey (www.usgs.gov), the American Red Cross 
(www.redcross.org) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov). 
. 
Inquire about emergency plans and procedures at your child’s school, at your workplace and at any institution 
where a member of your family is resident or receives care on a regular basis. 
. 
Make a family disaster plan that includes out-of-town contacts and locations to reunite if you become separated. 
Be sure everyone knows home, work and cell phone numbers, and how to call 9-1-1. 
. 
Assemble a 3-day disaster supplies kit with food, water, medical supplies, battery-powered radio and NOAA 
Weather Radio All Hazards, batteries, flashlights, and other items. If you have space and you are concerned 
about situations that might require lengthy shelter, consider storing food and water supplies for up to a month. 
For more information about assembling a disaster supplies kit, visit www.fema.gov/areyouready/. 
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Gather important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, passports, wills, 
deeds, and financial and insurance records. Store them in a fire- and water-safe location or safe deposit box. 

Before a Landslide or Debris Flow 

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Do not build near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways, or natural erosion valleys. 

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Get a ground assessment of your property. 

. 
Consult an appropriate professional expert for advice on corrective measures. 

. 
Minimize home hazards by having flexible pipe fittings installed to avoid gas or water leaks, as flexible fittings 
are more resistant to breakage (only the gas company or professionals should install gas fittings). 

Landslide Warning Signs 

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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. 

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Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways. 

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Underground utility lines break. 

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Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope. 

. 
Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations. 

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Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move. 

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A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears. 

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The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet. 


Landslide Warning Signs (Continued) 

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Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris. 

. 
Collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flow can be seen when driving 
(embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides). 

If you suspect imminent landslide danger: 

. 
Contact your local fire, police, or public works department. Local officials are the best persons able to assess 
potential danger. 

. 
Inform affected neighbors. Your neighbors may not be aware of potential hazards. Advising them of a potential 
threat may help save lives. Help neighbors who may need assistance to evacuate. 

. 
Evacuate. Getting out of the path of a landslide or debris flow is your best protection. 

During a Landslide or Debris Flow 

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Move away from the path of a landslide or debris flow as quickly as possible. 
. 
Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible. 

After a Landslide or Debris Flow 

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

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

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Watch for associated dangers such as broken electrical, water, gas, and sewage lines and damaged roadways and 
railways. Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. 

. 
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. 

. 
Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. 
Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who 
have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations. 

. 
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 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. 

. 
Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to 
reduce landslide risk. 

The Recovery Process 

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For direct assistance to individuals and families for immediate needs contact the American Red Cross or other 
local voluntary agencies. 

. 
Check newspapers, television, or radio news for information on disaster assistance available. 

. 
For information on helping children deal with disaster, visit www.fema.gov or get a copy of FEMA 478 Helping 
Children Cope with Disaster. To obtain other fact sheets and publications call the FEMA publications warehouse at 
1-800-480-2520. 

Dangerous Landslide Myth! The Facts: 
Most landslides move quite slowly, 
making it easy to anticipate their 
path and rate of progress. 
Landslide speed and potential destructiveness can vary widely. Some 
landslides move slowly, traveling only a few inches in many days. 
Other landslides can transform suddenly into mud or debris flows that 
travel thousands of feet in a matter of minutes. Let officials and 
neighbors know if you suspect imminent landslide danger and evacuate 
for safety. 

June 2007 
FEMA-562