Recent wildfires may be contained, but the threat of new natural disasters linger in impacted communities. Wildfire burn scars are more vulnerable to landslides, meaning that many neighborhoods recently evacuated due to fires are once again seeing their homes threatened.
With rainfall impacting most of our Central California Region next week, the Red Cross is offering the following safety tips:
PREPARE
Landslides generally happen in areas where they have occurred in the past. Learn about your area’s landslide risk.
Learn about local emergency response and evacuation plans.
Create and practice an evacuation plan for your family or business.
Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit.
Watch the patterns of storm water drainage on slopes near your home, especially where runoff water converges.
Beware that at typical homeowner’s policy does not include landslide or mud flow coverage. Talk to your insurance agent today for more information.
RESPOND
During severe storms, stay alert and awake.
If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your public works, fire, or police department.
Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether water changes from clear to muddy.
Consider evacuations of larger or numerous animals.
RECOVER
Stay away from the slide area until officials say it is safe to enter.
Watch for flooding, which sometimes follows landslides.
Check for injured and trapped persons or animals near the slide without entering the slide area.
Help people who require special assistance.
Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
Check your home’s foundation, chimney and surrounding land for damage.
Replant damaged ground as soon as possible because erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.
Ready When the Time Comes
Your local Red Cross is on alert and working closely with government officials in order to respond quickly in the event of a landslide in our community. Volunteers are ready to open emergency shelters, providing relief and comfort to anyone affected by potential disasters.
Make sure your family is prepared for disasters big and small. Get preparedness information and find emergency shelter locations at your fingertips by downloading the Red Cross Emergency App, free for smartphones and tablets. Search for it in your app store, or text “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.
Red Cross Central California Blog 