 Be Alert for Landslides
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Click to learn more about landslides
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With heavy rains all week and more to come over the next few days, we can expect to start seeing landslide activity on the Island again due to the high level of soil saturation. The Island typically sustains 5 to 15 landslides per year, which are often exacerbated by consecutive days of heavy rain.
The resulting damage can cost from a few thousand dollars (for smaller slides) to several hundred thousand dollars, not to mention personal injury.
As is customary in these situations, as soon as the City learns of such an event, Building Inspectors travel directly to the affected site to assess the damage firsthand, and determine whether nearby buildings involved are still safe for occupancy. Unsafe buildings are "red-tagged" and may not be occupied until cleared by a geo-technical engineer, hired by the owner.
You can learn more about landslide clues here
Slides are typically triggered by excess water and most include a contributing human factor such as people discharging their roof drains onto slopes, removing vegetation from slopes, excavating into or placing fill onto slopes, and broken pipes. Understanding and avoiding common contributory causes can effectively reduce your landslide risk.
Making sure (safely) that storm drains and ditches are clear in your neighborhood can also help water flow away properly.
Check this City map to see if you live in a Landslide Hazard Area.
For emergencies, always call 9-1-1; for general storm assistance or to report a landslide, call our 24-hour dispatch center, call (425) 577-5656.
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