FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for landslide
Rock, earth and debris moving down slopes.
68 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for landslide by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Watch for new cracks in the ground, tilting trees or fences, and doors that stick. 2. Keep gutters and drains directing water away from slopes. 3. Know the signs of a debris flow during heavy rain.
Before the season
- Have a geotechnical engineer look at slopes above or below the house if you see movement.
- Do not let downspouts or pools drain onto a slope.
- Plant ground cover on bare slopes.
When a warning comes
- Leave if you hear rumbling or see water turn muddy during heavy rain.
- Avoid river valleys and low areas during storms after a wildfire.
- Stay awake during intense rain if you live on or below a slope.
After
- Stay away from the slide area.
- Check for broken utility lines and report them.
- Have the foundation and slope inspected before re-occupying.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether earth movement is excluded; most standard policies exclude it. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
Ready.gov: Landslides and debris flow Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest landslide scores
Top 25 by FEMA NRI risk score for this hazard. Scores and ratings are relative to other US counties, not probabilities of a loss.
| # | County | Rating | Score | Recorded events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Barbara County, CA | Very High | 100.0 | — |
| 2 | Snohomish County, WA | Very High | 100.0 | — |
| 3 | San Bernardino County, CA | Very High | 99.9 | — |
| 4 | Island County, WA | Relatively High | 99.9 | — |
| 5 | Monterey County, CA | Relatively High | 99.9 | — |
| 6 | Alameda County, CA | Relatively High | 99.8 | — |
| 7 | Sonoma County, CA | Relatively High | 99.8 | — |
| 8 | Macon County, NC | Relatively High | 99.8 | — |
| 9 | Santa Clara County, CA | Relatively High | 99.7 | — |
| 10 | Orange County, CA | Relatively High | 99.7 | — |
| 11 | San Mateo County, CA | Relatively High | 99.7 | — |
| 12 | Petersburg Borough, AK | Relatively High | 99.7 | — |
| 13 | Honolulu County, HI | Relatively High | 99.6 | — |
| 14 | Humboldt County, CA | Relatively High | 99.6 | — |
| 15 | Mendocino County, CA | Relatively High | 99.6 | — |
| 16 | Hawkins County, TN | Relatively High | 99.5 | — |
| 17 | San Diego County, CA | Relatively High | 99.5 | — |
| 18 | Mariposa County, CA | Relatively High | 99.5 | — |
| 19 | San Luis Obispo County, CA | Relatively High | 99.4 | — |
| 20 | Mesa County, CO | Relatively High | 99.4 | — |
| 21 | Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | Relatively High | 99.4 | — |
| 22 | Contra Costa County, CA | Relatively High | 99.3 | — |
| 23 | Santa Cruz County, CA | Relatively High | 99.3 | — |
| 24 | Los Angeles County, CA | Relatively High | 99.3 | — |
| 25 | Sitka City and Borough, AK | Relatively High | 99.2 | — |