How can you prepare, respond to landslides? Here’s some advice
Natural disasters are nothing new in Southern California — and there’s plenty of advice out there about preparing for earthquakes and wildfires.
Not to mention floods and mudslides.
But what about when the earth beneath your home gives way for no apparent reason?
That’s what happened to 12 homes in a gated Rolling Hills Estates community, which were destroyed by a landslide over the weekend. Ten of those homes will almost certainly slide into the canyon.
But like any other natural disaster, there are ways to prepare for landslides.
Some of those methods are universal, such as readying emergency kits, while others are specific to landslides — such as attuning your ears to coming danger.
Here are some tips from the American Red Cross, which has a handy guide available online.
Listen up
Landslides are defined as “earth movement.” They can move slowly and cause damage gradually or move rapidly, destroying property and taking lives suddenly and unexpectedly.
And while the cause of the Rolling Hilles Estates landslide remains unknown, most are stem from heavy rain, snowmelt, earthquakes, wildfires — or just plaid old gravity.
If you live in areas where landslides are possible, officials say, you should keep an ear out for unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
Such sounds could portend coming danger.
Prepare an emergency kit
This one is important no matter the disaster — be ready to leave in a hurry.
“Think of a home fire, where you have just seconds or minutes to really get out of your home and evacuate,” said American Red Cross regional spokesperson Marilyn Jimenez Davila, “or where authorities tell you there’s an evacuation that’s happening and you just have 30 minutes or limited time.
“Having a bag that has everything you need and will keep you comfortable, is a way to make you feel a little bit more prepared,” she added, “but also makes it easier.”
An emergency kit should contain nonperishable food, water and other basic supplies to last at least three days for each family member. It is also important to include essential medications, copies of important documents, such as identification and passports, and special items for children.
“Nowadays, I also include things like a cell phone charger or battery pack,” Jimenez Davila said, “also some extra cash.”
If you have pets, your kit should include food, a leash or carrier, and a photo of you and the pet in case you get separated.
Having a plan
It is important that everyone in a household or business knows what to do when a landslide occurs — and knows where the emergency kit is located.
The kits should be inside something ready to grab and go – like a backpack – in case evacuation happens quickly, Jimenez Davila said.
And if you suspect you’re in danger, don’t wait — evacuate immediately. You should also inform neighbors of potential danger and contact local emergency officials.
Practice, practice, practice
Having an emergency plan is great, but it won’t be much use if you don’t know how to implement it.
So make sure to practice.
After creating a plan, Jimenez Davila said, practice the evacuation route and make sure everyone within a household, business or even school site, knows their roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
Plan and practice what to do if a family member is separated from the rest of you during an emergency and what to do if your home is evacuated.
Families should have a designated location where “you would meet up,” Jimenez Davila said, “one near your home and one outside your home in case your area is evacuated if you can’t access your neighborhood.”
Stay informed
Staying informed applies to before, during and even after a landslide occurs.
“Stay informed about the risk of landslides in your area,” Jimenez Davila said. “It’s really important for you to know the hazards in your zone.”
The Palos Verdes Peninsula, for example, is particularly prone to landslides.
In December, for example, boulders and other debris rained down from a hillside to the beach below in Palos Verdes Estates. And Rancho Palos Verdes has a 240-acre southern section that is the most active landslide area in North America, according to city officials there, moving at a rate of as much as eight feet each year.
You should also seek the advice of a geotechnical expert to evaluate landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise on the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazards.
Another way to prepare is by paying attention to weather conditions that may cause a potential landslide, such as heavy rains.
After a landslide occurs, meanwhile, have a way for local officials to contact you and ensure you know how to get updates and information, such as by watching television, listening to the radio or reading news either online or in print.
Other resources
Palos Verdes Peninsula residents an use a zone map at pvpready.gov to know when their area is under evacuation.
The four Palos Verdes Peninsula cities, in collaboration with Los Angeles County’s Office of Emergency Management and other public safety partners, launched the evacuation tool to help those communities be prepared. When officials order evacuations, for example, residents, businesses and visitors will receive timely critical information via the website.
Folks can also sign-up for important emergency notifications through the Alert Southbay system.
Residents can also download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and more safety tips, Jimenez Davila said.
Residents can also visit redcross.org/landslide for more information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from landslides, and get a checklist for items needed during an evacuation.
The Los Angels County Fire Department also recommends checking out updates on your city’s website and consulting with municipal structural engineers.
What to do after a landslide
The main thing to do in the wake of a landslide is to stay away. There may be a danger of additional slides.
If a slide occurred suddenly and you fear people may be injured or trapped — something that didn’t occur during the Rolling Hills Estates landslide — don’t enter the direct slide area. But you can help by directing rescuers to their potential locations.
You should also be a good neighbor and help those who require additional assistance, such as infants, older adults and people with disabilities. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional help in emergency situations.
The Red Cross also recommends looking for and reporting broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazards and injury.
If anyone has been impacted by the land movement and needs information on disaster assistance, call the local Red Cross at 800-675-5799.