A Pacific weather front can move in with terrifying speed, as residents of the west coast know all too well. And many times, these weather events are large enough to impact other areas in the southwestern United States.
What begins as an ordinary rainstorm in areas prone to wildfires can transform into a life-threatening mudslide in a matter of hours. This terrifying spectacle of nature may uproot large trees, smash bridges into piles of rubble, and cause widespread destruction.
Mudslides and mudflows are not limited to volcanic terrain. These deadly flows may occur when wildfires destroy ground cover, exposing bare soil to the elements.
In those years when tinder-box fire conditions occur, seasonal forest fires often strike early. When those wildfires scorch the landscape, vegetation is destroyed, leaving little in the way of a buffer to soak up the runoff from fall or winter precipitation. The succession of fire, followed by floods, delivers a one-two punch disaster.
If wildfires have scorched areas within a few miles of your home or business within the past several years, be prepared to evacuate if heavy rains are in the forecast. Fast-moving storm fronts could transform that charred landscape into a fast-moving muddy river of destruction.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend evacuating during intense rainstorms if you live in an area prone to mudslides. Take particular notice of tilted trees or telephone polls, or a distant rumbling sound. A mudflow may be headed your way. Don’t hesitate in such a dangerous situation. Flee immediately to a safer area.
Assign each family member a disaster buddy, pairing older children and adults with younger children. Have an evacuation plan in place, and rehearse it once a month, until everyone in your family understands what to expect and, and more importantly, what to do. Should your home or business suffer water damage, a fire and water restoration company will put you on the road to recovery.