Precautions To Be Taken to Prevent Landslides
Landslides can result from water saturation, slope modifications, and earthquakes. Techniques for reducing landslide and mudslide risks to structures include selecting flat land or stable slopes; constructing channels, drainage systems, retention structures, and walls; planting groundcover; and soil reinforcement using geo-synthetic materials, and avoiding cut and fill building sites. Redirecting water that might affect steep slopes would greatly decrease landslides. Water loosens soil that might be necessary for sustaining land. Some areas that are at a high risk of landslides are:
· 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; and
· Areas where surface runoff is directed.
It would help to build structures away from these areas.
There are also some precautions that can be taken before intense storms and rainfalls such as:
· Assume that steep slopes and areas burned by wildfires are vulnerable to landslides and debris flows.
· Learn whether landslides or debris flows have occurred previously in your area by contacting local authorities, a county geologist or the county planning department, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, or university departments of geology.
· 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.
These are all precautions that can be taken to prevent or stay away from landslides.
· 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; and
· Areas where surface runoff is directed.
It would help to build structures away from these areas.
There are also some precautions that can be taken before intense storms and rainfalls such as:
· Assume that steep slopes and areas burned by wildfires are vulnerable to landslides and debris flows.
· Learn whether landslides or debris flows have occurred previously in your area by contacting local authorities, a county geologist or the county planning department, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, or university departments of geology.
· 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.
These are all precautions that can be taken to prevent or stay away from landslides.