Helping Prepare The Nation Against Landslide Threats

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB+WAVE) — On August 26, 2026, a rock avalanche dislodged from beneath an alpine glacier in Nepal, crashing down toward the river valley below. What transpired a few minutes later was catastrophic, as the collapse eventually built into a flood of water and debris that raced downstream, burying nearly every building, road, and structure in its path. This sobering tragedy offered a poignant reminder that landscapes can shift suddenly and change communities forever.

While events of this magnitude are rare, the United States has experienced its own landslide tragedies.

For example, 43 people died in Washington State in 2014 when the SR530 Oso landslide crossed the North Fork Stillaguamish River and buried the community of Steelhead Haven.

In 2017, postfire debris flows in Montecito, California, damaged over 300 homes and took the lives of 23 others.

And even as recently as 2024, at least 31 people died after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused landslides to sweep down valleys in North Carolina and Appalachia, devastating communities there.

Although these tragedies were likely unavoidable, in the United States they inspired new laws and actions to protect communities in the future. For landslides are not just confined to remote mountain regions or far-off nations; they are also happening here.

As we recognize National Preparedness Month, these events underscore a growing truth that landslide hazards are intertwined with society, and the best solution is to prepare for and mitigate against them.

That’s why the U.S. Geological Survey’s role in landslide research is increasingly vital.

Through its Landslide Hazards Program, USGS provides scientific oversight, real‑time expertise, and critical funding to help state, county, territorial, and Tribal partners better understand landslide threats. Authorized under the National Landslide Preparedness Act, USGS has awarded millions of dollars over the last three years to local governments to support landslide risk-reduction efforts.

From developing landslide inventories to advancing community preparedness initiatives, these investments build the foundation for safer communities nationwide. They support the science necessary so that residents, emergency managers, and planners have the tools and knowledge they need to anticipate danger before it strikes.

This year’s grants provide $1 million to 16 state, county, and Tribal partners working to reduce landslide risk. Their projects reflect a growing shift toward a nationally consistent approach to landslide research and hazard mapping. This nationalized approach aligns with USGS’s goal of a Hazard Ready Nation.

Several awardees of the newest set of grants are advancing work directly tied to preparedness and public safety.

The Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska will convene the Southeast Alaska Landslide Information and Preparedness Partnership to expand community education and strengthen regional coordination.

In Pennsylvania, a new countywide landslide inventory and susceptibility map will help planners identify at‑risk areas along key transportation corridors.

And Nevada will develop its first statewide landslide and debris‑flow inventory—giving residents, emergency managers, and transportation agencies a shared foundation for warning and response.

“People rarely think about landslides until they are threatened by one,” said USGS landslide geologist Stephen Slaughter. “That is why it is so important to support local governments’ efforts to map these hazards, educate the public, and reduce the risk to their communities.”

As communities face increasing pressures from extreme weather, wildfires, and development on steep terrain, preparedness becomes essential.

Residents can take practical steps such as learning landslide warning signs, avoiding steep slopes during intense rainfall, and checking whether mapped landslide hazards intersect their neighborhoods or travel routes. These steps can help residents feel more confident navigating an ever‑changing landscape.

The USGS plays a vital role in tracking and investigating landslide occurrences throughout the country. By assessing these events and conducting in-depth research, USGS enhances the scientific understanding of landslides and their impacts.

This work not only supports risk assessment and mitigation efforts, but also empowers communities to prepare for and respond effectively to landslide threats. Through these initiatives, USGS is committed to fostering resilience, ensuring that local governments and residents have the tools and knowledge needed to help safeguard lives and property against landslide hazards.

To explore the full list of funded projects and learn more about landslide preparedness, visit the USGS Landslide Hazards Program Grants page:

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/external-grants-overview