We have covered a lot of ground in this series. We started by walking the property line to read the “J-trees” like a tracker, moved on to the heavy lifting of digging swales and installing French drains, and finished with the terrifying geometry of escaping a moving mountain.

This series has been a perfect marriage of two worlds, the “dirt-under-the-fingernails” wisdom of growing up in the woods, combined with the structural rigor of an engineer. Print this out and put it in your go-bag. It is the blueprint that keeps your homestead standing and your family safe.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be considered, legal, medical, geological, or engineering advice. Landslide risks involve complex geology. Always consult with a certified geotechnical engineer or geologist for assessments of your specific property.

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Phase 1: Blue sky readiness (diagnosis and prevention)

The inspection walk:

• Scan slopes for J-trees (trunks curving at the base) indicating active soil creep.
• Check fence lines, telephone poles, and retaining walls for downhill tilting.
• Check interior doors and windows for sticking, and look for new diagonal cracks in drywall or foundation.
• Look for “steps” or vertical drops in the soil on the hillside.

Hydraulic defense (water management):

• Ensure all downspouts are piped at least 10 to 20 feet away from the foundation.
• Clear leaves and debris from gutters and storm drains.
• Inspect or dig shallow swales across the top of slopes to divert sheet flow.
• Flush French drains with a hose to ensure they aren’t clogged with roots.

Biological and structural reinforcement:

• Plant deep-rooted native shrubs or trees on bare slopes.
• Seed native grasses or ground cover to prevent surface erosion.
• Clear the weep holes on all retaining walls so water doesn’t build up behind them.

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Phase 2: Gray sky readiness (the watch phase)

Sensory monitoring:

• Do a rain walk during the storm and watch where water flows and pools.
• Check creek clarity, cloudy or muddy means soil is moving upstream, stopped flow means a natural dam has formed.
• Turn off the TV and listen for snapping branches, boulders knocking, or a low rumble.

Emergency staging:

• Move go-bags to the front door or into the car.
• Keep sturdy slip-on boots right by the exit.
• Confirm your phone receives wireless emergency alerts for flash floods.

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Phase 3: Red sky response (the event)

The “go” trigger, evacuate if:

• You hear a loud rumble that gets closer.
• You see trees moving or tilting.
• The creek water suddenly stops or turns to thick sludge.
• New cracks open in the yard or foundation.

The escape protocol:

• Run sideways, perpendicular to the path of the slide, never downhill.
• Get high, move to the second floor or roof if escape is impossible.
• The curl, if swept away, curl into a tight ball, protect your head, and create an air pocket in front of your face.

The livestock protocol:

• If time permits and it is safe, open doors and gates to release animals.
• Do not waste time crating or catching animals during an active slide, human life comes first.

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Phase 4: The recovery (after the slide)

• Do not return immediately, landslides often come in waves.
• Assume all downed lines are live, and smell for gas leaks.
• Do not re-enter a house hit by debris until a structural engineer clears it.

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Final tips

• Print this blog: keep a physical copy.
• The family drill: stand in the yard and ask your family, “if the hill moves, point to where you run”, ensure everyone points sideways, not down.
• The neighbor pact: talk to your uphill and downhill neighbors, their drainage is your problem, and yours is theirs. Agree to alert each other if you see signs of earth movement.