n/a

789 Words2 Pages

Lesson learned with the help of technology
Natural disasters happen unexpectedly all over the world that can cause injury, death, and finical devastation, however over time technology can play a role in the question "why" and "when". The Aldercrest-Banyon landslide was one disaster that put Kelso, Washington on the worst urban landslides in the United States history when it comes to cost. (FEMA, 2013)According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) "Landslides occur when masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope" (CDC, 2012) When the stability of a slope on the side of a hill side is disturbed this can eventually cause a landslide. The issue with Aldercrest-Banyon landslide, a consistency of rain fall over 3.5 years (above average rainfall), small housing developments built on a hazard place, and road excavation that took place on the lower part of the slide.(Davila, 1999) With the FEMA preparedness plan today, this situation could have cost less in damage and created an environment more stable; that still is unstable.
Aldercrest- Banyon residents were experiencing changes of ground movement. Signs were detected in February 1998, underground Utilities were damaged or breaking, residents’ homes were developing cracks, and road ways were splitting. "The problem was that the site had been erroneously mapped as stable ground, when in fact, the homes had been erected on an ancient landslide that just needed a little extra rain to reactivate." (Burns, 2007) Geologist has become a part of the prevention of natural disasters to monitor ground activity such as earthquakes and landslides. According to USGS (2013) every state must have some landslide information provided to the public. Reports were taken mid-April 1998...

... middle of paper ...

...round movement, damages to homes, roads, and city property. In this day in age Geologists have become the leader on prevention in natural disasters before they happen. The preparation and prevention guided by city and state government that can minimize cost according to USGS (2013) are:
• Avoid buildings, slopes, mountain edges, and drainage ways in the hazard zones
• Watch storm-water drainage patterns.
• Minimize home hazards
• Have Gas Company or professional assist flexible pipe fittings.
• Plant ground covers cover on slopes and build retaining walls.
• In mud flow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct flow around buildings.
By being prepared and informed in situations such as a landslide, City and State government can report assistance from FEMA for values on homes and help recover damages that could not have been prevented from Mother Nature.

More about n/a

Open Document