New update to our Climate resilience guide: Mudslides
Mudslides typically happen when heavy precipitation, snowmelt, or high levels of groundwater create a movement of liquified soil and debris. As the planet warms and more moisture is held by the atmosphere, rainfalls will get stronger and the risk for mudslides thus increases. Over the past fifty years, landslides have become ten times more frequent. These events are roughly killing 4,500 people worldwide each year.
Wildfires, construction, urbanization, and general human impacts on the landscape are known to increase the risk of mudslides. Generally, the areas of biggest risk are urban areas near slopes or canyons, places along rivers, and places that have seen landslides in the past.
Protection things:
1. Know your area: Assume that any slope or area that has had lost its vegetation recently is at risk. Find out if your area has had any landslides with local geologists or authorities. These events are often the result of accumulated material, so mudslides can occur years after a wildfire or other local disturbance.
2. Watch for signs: During intense storms, listen for rumbling sounds, these could mean a landslide is approaching. If you see a trickle of mud on a stream, it may mean that there is an approaching mudslide.
3. Stay Away from the Path: If a mudslide is coming, get away as fast as possible, as little as two feet can carry away cars if you can find higher ground. If debris is coming to your directly find shelter and take cover.
