Landslides- What to watch for...

Landslides - What to watch for:

Previous landslide areas may grow, or new landslides may occur with heavy and prolonged precipitation or rapid snow melt. Please keep aware of any steep terrain above you and be vigilant for any changes. Watch for signs of ground movement or flooding. A large landslide into water may cause a localized tsunami. Report non-emergency information to eoc@haines.ak.us. If there is an emergency, move to a safe location and call 9-1-1.

Important observations may include:

• Creek water that becomes brown / dirty over time
• Pooling water on the ground
• Cracking drywall or shifting walls in homes
• Cracks in land or pavement/driveways
• Ground movement of any kind
• Trees tipping or falling over
• Overflowing wells
• Wet basements
• Clogged culverts
• Water and/or debris washing across roadways

Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. Moving landslides are often compared to the sound and feel of a passing freight train. If you hear these sounds, getting out of the path of a landslide or debris flow is your best protection. Likewise, if you are near the beach and see unusual changes in water level or any nearby slope, move to higher ground in a direction away from any visible landslide movement.

If escape is not possible, move to a second story room or to the downslope side of the house and curl into a tight ball and protect your head. Choose an area where you are not in danger of being pinned or crushed by furniture. In one-story homes, moving up on top of furniture or countertops can protect you from suffocation or being swept away. Unfurnished areas, such as closets, interior hallways, or bathrooms may provide additional protection. Opening downhill doors and windows may help rushing debris flow through the house, thus reducing the build up of debris which can lead to burial, suffocation, or ripping apart the structure.

Hazardous areas include on/below steep slopes, in/along drainages, steep road-cuts, and areas of previous landslides. Intense bursts of rain can be particularly dangerous for triggering additional landslides. Unusually loud sounds such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together can indicate moving debris nearby.If you hear these sounds, move to higher ground, a second story room, or to the downslope side of the house and curl into a tight ball and protect your head. Be especially alert when driving. Collapsed embankments and pavement, downed trees, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible landslides.