How To Identify a Potential Mudslide

Washington is quite familiar with mudslides. No, we don’t mean the sweet bar drinks at happy hour. We’re talking dangerous natural disasters that can take out homes, cars, trees, and people. With all the talk about mudslides on the news, we want to know how much you know about mudslides and what you should do if one occurs.

What is a Mudslide?

A mudslide is the same thing as a landslide. Heavy rains trigger the massive avalanche of mud, but rain is not the only culprit. Mudslides are flowing rivers of dirt, rock, debris, and earth that have become saturated with water. As we said before, mudslides are so powerful that they can move entire structures. As the mud slides, picking up debris along the way, it grows in size and gains speed. It does not have to be raining for a mudslide to occur, but poor drainage and suburban development can contribute as well. Areas where the natural foliage has been removed or burned are prone to mudslides.

What to do in a Mudslide

Mudslides can happen without warning. If you are driving, be diligent and be smart.

• Listen to the radio for weather reports, warnings and watches
• Avoid flooded areas
• Do not try to cross any roads that are blocked by road debris, have partially collapsed pavement, or have been blocked by the authorities.
• If you notice a landslide, move out of the path of the flowing debris.
• Look for tilted trees, structures such as fences, telephone poles, or bare spots on the hillsides along the roadway.
• Report the mudslide to the authorities.