Clay and bedrock accumulated until tremendous rainfall within the last few years made a difference. It doesn t stick, and it just slides. But nothing before has equaled the potential slide in Kelso. We ve had large slides before but most of those have been in natural forests. What s unusual about the Kelso slide is that it s so large and so active, Lingley says.
Landslides are very common in Washington.
We ve got very mountainous topography and people are pretty aware of landslides. Most folks who are building a home in Washington have at least some appreciation for that concern. On the other hand, Lingley adds, there are few areas in Washington where residents don't live either on a flood plain, or on a hillside that s subject to a landslide. That could provide residents with funds to rebuild elsewhere or other financial support.