Landslides can happen fast and without much warning. If you live near a steep slope, river valley, road cut, or mining site, you need to know the signs and what to do. This guide gives clear, practical actions you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
Heavy or prolonged rain is the top trigger. Water soaks the soil, weakens it, and makes slopes unstable. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, sudden changes from construction or mining, and removing vegetation all raise the risk. In many parts of Africa, seasonal rains and road-building on hillsides increase chances of slides.
Watch for these early signs: new cracks in the ground or pavement, doors and windows that stick or jam for no reason, leaning trees or utility poles, small slides at the base of a slope, and unusual sounds like rumbling or trees cracking. If a stream suddenly becomes cloudy or rises fast after rain, that can also mean material is moving upstream.
Before a landslide: map escape routes and make a family plan. Keep an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, a torch, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, a battery radio, copies of important documents, and fully charged phones or power banks. Trim trees and avoid building heavy structures near slope edges. If you’re a community leader, push for proper drainage systems and avoid uncontrolled slope cutting.
During a landslide: don’t wait to act if you notice warning signs. Move quickly to higher ground and away from the path of the slide—perpendicular to the slope if possible. Avoid river valleys and low spots. If you are in a car and you see a slide, drive away from the slide path if you can; if not, park, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened, and brace yourself. Never try to cross a moving debris flow on foot or by vehicle.
After a landslide: stay away from the slide area until authorities declare it safe. Check for injured people and give first aid if you can. Watch for secondary slides—rain or aftershocks can trigger more movement. Report broken utility lines or gas smells to emergency services. If your home is damaged, don’t re-enter until an engineer or local authority inspects it.
For journalists and responders: verify stability before entering a site. Use official updates and avoid posting unverified images that might cause panic. For everyday readers: follow local weather warnings, sign up for community alerts, and check trusted news sources like Africa Daily Insight for verified updates on regional slides.
Small steps—like clearing drainage, knowing where to go, and keeping an emergency bag ready—can make a big difference when a landslide hits. Stay alert, trust the signs, and get to safety early.
On October 27, 2024, a landslide shuttered all northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Bellingham near Iowa Street, with no reopening timeline given. This incident calls to mind the 2021 closure due to similar circumstances, highlighting Washington's vulnerability to landslides. These natural occurrences often result from saturated grounds due to heavy rains, causing significant disruptions. WSDOT faces ongoing challenges managing these events effectively.
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