Landslides and Debris Flows
Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.
What it is
- The American Red Cross says, "Landslides are rocks, soil, and mud falling down a slope."[1]
- The Red Cross says landslides can be triggered by earthquakes, heavy rain, melting snow, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires.[1]
- The Red Cross says, "Mudflows, debris flows, mudslides and avalanches are all types of landslides."[1]
- The Red Cross says, "A previous landslide is the biggest risk factor for another landslide."[1]
For students
- Ready.gov Kids says, "Stay alert and awake. Many people die from landslides when they are sleeping."[3]
- Ready.gov Kids says, "Move away from the path of a landslide or debris flow as fast as you can."[3]
- Ready.gov Kids says, "If you can't escape, curl into a tight ball and cover your head with your hands and arms."[3]
- Ready.gov Kids says, "Stay away from the slide area. There may be additional slides."[3]
Warning signs
- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) lists new cracks or bulges in soil, pavement, or sidewalks.[2]
- USGS lists doors and windows that stick, and tilting or cracking foundations and floors.[2]
- USGS lists creeks that rise fast and turn muddy, or drop suddenly while rain continues.[2]
- USGS lists a faint, growing rumble or unusual sounds like cracking trees or knocking boulders.[2]
Before
During
- The Red Cross says, "If you feel you are in danger, don't wait for an official announcement, evacuate now."[1]
- USGS says, "Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping."[2]
- USGS says to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or battery radio for heavy-rain warnings.[2]
- USGS says that if you stay, move to a second story if possible.[2]
- The Red Cross says never to drive or walk across a road with flowing water or mud: "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"[1]
- USGS says, "Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible."[2]
After
- The Red Cross says to stay away from the slide area, because "Additional slides are likely."[1]
- USGS says to watch for flooding, which can follow a landslide.[2]
- The Red Cross says, "Without entering the direct slide area, check for injured and trapped people."[1]
- The Red Cross says, "Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires."[1]
Watch vs. Warning
- The Red Cross says an Advisory means landslides could happen, a Watch means they are possible so keep watching conditions, and a Warning means they are happening so avoid the area and evacuate if you are in it.[1]
- Heavy rain that can trigger debris flows is covered by flood alerts on the Floods page.
Sources
Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.
- [1] American Red Cross, Landslide
- Published by
- American Red Cross
- Level
- Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
- Found at
- www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/landslide.html
- Checked
- Oct 26, 2026
- [2] USGS, Landslide Preparedness
- Published by
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Level
- U.S. federal government
- Found at
- www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/landslide-preparedness
- Checked
- Oct 26, 2026
- [3] Ready.gov (FEMA), Know the Facts: Landslides (Kids)
- Published by
- Ready.gov (FEMA)
- Level
- U.S. federal government
- Found at
- www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/landslides
- Checked
- Oct 26, 2026
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