A house, like this one near Seattle's Magnolia Bridge, is the worst place to be during a mudslide. There's not much you can do when a mudslide hits, but preventative measures can be taken. If you're thinking of building a new home or moving, get a ground assessment of your property. A county geologist or county planning department may be able to tell you which areas are vulnerable. Artificial Hills One method, being employed along the Pacific Coast Highway in southern California, is to cover a hill with a concrete look-alike.
Engineers begin by anchoring concrete pads by long shafts to keep the bluff in place.
Metal cages are hooked over the pads, then up to 4 feet of concrete goes over the cages. A top layer of latex is then applied and shaped to simulate a real hillside, and moss is grown on top. Home Safety Plant ground cover on slopes and build retaining walls. If you are near a mud-flow area, dig channels or walls that will deflect the mud around the house. However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you may be liable for diverting mud onto a neighbor's property.