7 things to know about mudslides
Mudslides, also known as debris flows, are a type of landslide.
Mudslide damages L.A. County homes after storms
FILE VIDEO: One home suffered major damage when a hillside in Los Angeles County gave way on Sunday. Recent storms saturated the ground which slid into homes.
Mudslides happen worldwide and can result after a variety of weather conditions and natural disasters.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said awareness and education about these hazards are the first step toward reducing their damaging effects.
Watch: Massive mudslide in California closes road near Santa Paula
Crews are working to clear mud and debris from a road near Santa Paula in California after a massive mudslide on Wednesday. There's no word on when the road will be allowed to reopen.
Here are seven things to know about mudslides:
- Mudslides are also known as debris flows and are a type of landslide.
- They occur when masses of debris, like earth or rocks, move down a slope. Mudslides are usually fast-moving and tend to flow in channels.
- Mudslides develop when flash flooding or excess water accumulates in the ground, creating a surge of water-saturated rock and debris. They can also be caused by other natural disasters.
- They usually start on steep slopes and areas of previous wildfires or other regions of destroyed vegetation.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that debris flows result in 25 to 50 deaths each year.
- If you live in an area prone to debris flows, get to know the surrounding land. The USGS said that before intense storms, you should watch the patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes near your home and note especially the places where runoff water converges, increasing flow over soil-covered slopes. You should also monitor for any signs of land movement, such as small landslides or debris flows, or progressively tilting trees.
- The USGS said that the most important thing you can do during a mudslide or debris flow is to stay alert and stay awake. Many deaths from these incidents happen when people are sleeping.
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