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King County officials urge landslide readiness as persistent rain raises risk across Western Washington
Emergency managers are warning residents to prepare for landslides as repeated soaking rain continues across Western Washington, with King County's emergency chief urging households to know their risk and be ready to evacuate or shelter in place for two weeks.
SEATTLE â Emergency management officials are urging residents across Western Washington to prepare for landslides as repeated rounds of heavy rain continue to saturate the region, raising the risk of slope failures in a state already among the most landslide-prone in the nation.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources notes that unstable glacial sediment, frequent earthquakes and steep terrain â from mountain slopes to coastal bluffs â make Washington especially vulnerable to landslides. Most slides occur between November and March, a window that aligns with the region's wettest months.
Brendan McCluskey, director of the King County Office of Emergency Management, said residents should understand the hazards around them and be ready to act quickly.
"I think the biggest thing that we want the community to know is to be aware of the risks that are around them, what the threats and hazards are, and to be ready to deal with them if they have to evacuate, to have a kit ready to go, or if they have to remain in place, to have supplies that can make them two weeks ready," McCluskey said.
The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a map showing which properties may be at risk, and King County offers guidance on preparing for landslides. Officials recommend that homeowners obtain a ground assessment of their property, consult geotechnical experts to evaluate hazards or design corrective measures, plant ground cover on slopes and build retaining walls, and plan at least two evacuation routes because roads may become blocked or closed.
Residents should also watch for warning signs, including doors or windows that stick or jam for the first time, new cracks in plaster, tile, brick or foundations, outside walls or stairs pulling away from a building, widening cracks in the ground or pavement, broken underground utility lines, bulging ground at the base of a slope, water breaking through the surface in new locations, and fences, retaining walls, utility poles or trees that tilt or move. A faint rumbling sound that grows louder as a slide approaches, ground that slopes downward in one direction and begins shifting underfoot, and sinkholes are also indicators of danger.
The warnings come as the region endures a stretch of soaking weather that has already triggered slides, including one in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood during heavy rainfall. Officials say the cumulative effect of repeated storms is a key concern, since saturated soil can give way even after the heaviest rain has passed.
For residents, the message is straightforward: know the signs, assess the risks around your home, and have a plan in place before the next storm arrives.