If you live in an area where landslides have occurred, it’s probably on your mind. The fear of being buried by a landslide, or losing friends and loved ones, has probably made you think about how to become better prepared. Many people think of landslides in regard to hiking in the wilderness, or traveling down a road less traveled in a rural area. Landslides typically happen after large amounts of rainfall, and can be triggered by a number of different situations. This article will address landslide preparedness, and survival information that you should consider using when the time comes. Let’s take a look at the best way to prepare for a landslide, and how you can survive if you are actually caught up in one.
What Are Landslides?
Before you can understand what to do during a landslide, you have to understand what landslides actually are. They are geologic events which become extremely hazardous, especially when people are adjacent to this event. It will occur in mountainous areas, and has been reported to have occurred in all 50 states. Dozens of deaths every year occur as a result of landslides in which liquefied or muddy debris flows down a hill unexpectedly. This can happen in areas where volcanoes occur, or in canyons where there was heavy rainfall. There are many things that can trigger landslides including freezing, thawing, erosion, and even earthquakes that happened in the area. Now that you know what a landslide is, let’s look at how you can be more prepared.
Information Can Save You
Before you go hiking in a certain area, or traveling down a road that takes you into mountainous terrain, it’s important to find out as much information as you can about weather conditions in that area. If you notice that debris has fallen down the hill adjacent to a road that you normally travel, it is possible that this could be an indicator that a landslide is about to occur. Severe storms are always precursors to landslides that happen, and they may occur in urban areas as well as rural locations. Essentially, the ground that was once firm and solid has now been loosened up, and may cause a chain reaction of falling debris, flowing down on top of roads, homes, or people in the vicinity. By recognizing the precursors to landslides, you can prevent yourself from being in an area where they may occur.
Landslide Preparedness
If you are going to be hiking in an area where a landslide may potentially occur, or if you live in an area where a landslide may fall down upon the home in which you live, there are a few things that you should consider to be properly prepared in case it happens. As mentioned before, listening to local stations about the possibility of heavy rain can help you be prepared. If you hear any unusual sounds in the area, or notice that rubble has descended down a hill unexpectedly, this is a clear sign that something is about to happen. It’s a good idea to have shovels, picks, and supplies in your household, or on your person, so that you can survive in case one happens. If you have animals, get them indoors. Also have supplies such as food and water ready so that you can survive if you are in a landslide, or to help you survive until help comes if you are able to escape if you see one coming down.
These simple tips for landslide repair these and the survival information you should be looking for, especially when severe weather conditions have recently moved through the area, will help you be better prepared in case a landslide does occur, allowing you to have the best possible chance of surviving this type of occurrence.
Mick Chan has been working in emergency supply industry for more than five years. As a product manager for EDisasterSystem, he knows his merchandise inside and out. He likes to write and share his ideas about the importance of safety and emergency prevention.
