Landslides

Wash. flash flooding damages estimated 10 home

TWISP, Wash. (AP) — Heavy rains that unleashed mud slides in an area of north-central Washington where hillsides have been left barren by wildfires damaged or destroyed an estimated 10 homes and blocked highways, officials said Friday.

14 photos

Photo - This image made from a video provided by KOMO News shows a car in north central Washington after rain created mudslides on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The land, which was left bare by wildfires, washed down hillsides, damaged homes and closed highways. (AP Photo/KOMO News)

+ caption This image made from a video provided by KOMO News shows a car in north central Washington after rain created mudslides on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The land, which was left bare by wildfires, washed down hillsides, damaged homes and closed highways. (AP Photo/KOMO News)

Damage to homes included mud, rushing water and the powerful force of the two together.

Resident Janie Lewis tells The Seattle Times (http://is.gd/a6zLO8) that a cascade of mud and water blew open her door Thursday evening, knocking down her husband and depositing several feet of mud in their house. They were unhurt.

"The river was running through the house," she said. "We're lucky to be alive."

More than 40 friends showed up unannounced Friday to help them dig out, she said.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said he believes a couple of the 10 homes were destroyed, a few were knocked off their foundations, many suffered mud damage.

"Still no injuries," he said Friday night. "No deaths. No missing people."

A section of State Highway 153 through the hard-hit Methow Valley remained closed Friday.

Chunks of highways were eaten away by the deluge.

There were at least two slides on State Highway 20 in a 30-mile stretch from Twisp to Okanogan, Transportation Department spokesman Jeff Adamson said. That stretch of road was closed until Friday afternoon.

More thunderstorms had been forecast for Friday and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch but it was allowed to expire Friday evening.

"There were a few light showers in wildfire areas but nothing like the thunderstorms that came through yesterday," meteorologist Matthew Fugazzi said Friday night.

The multiple slides had marooned as many as a dozen vehicles but occupants of those cars were rescued, the Washington State Patrol said.

The slides and flooding hit hard in areas burned by this summer's Carlton Complex wildfires. The fires burned more than 400 square miles and 500 firefighters remain in the area mopping up.

"This flooding is in the areas that were burned," Adamson said. "It brings down rocks, mud and water."

Residents said they were feeling disheartened.

"It's like another nail in the coffin," Carlton General Store owner Jeff Lyman told the newspaper. "It's pretty bad down here right now."

Maggie Garrett, who lives on Benson Creek, described fences torn down and deep channels carved through driveways and backyards.

"It was literally like a river running through here," she said. "And now, everything's 6 inches under mud."

Large mudslide partially blocks Sarapiquí River in Alajuela

Officials at the National Emergency Commission (CNE) confirmed that a mudslide Thursday night partially has blocked the Sarapiquí River in north-central Costa Rica.

Red Cross spokesman Alexander Porras said Friday that some 150 cubic meters of mud and debris currently are blocking a large part of the river flow, in an unpopulated area of Nueva Cinchona, north of Alajuela.

Local residents said they heard loud noises coming from the mountains along the river around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. Those reports were followed by several more reports of a severe decrease in the river flow and of muddy water coming out from the local aqueduct, according to the Red Cross and CNE.

CNE geologists on Friday conducted an on-the-ground inspection and confirmed the largest accumulation of debris is located some 20 kilometers from the nearest community, at La Virgen de Sarapiquí, and that it currently does not pose any immediate threat for its residents.

Residents at various north central communities reported loud noises coming from the mountains.

(Courtesy of Red Cross)

The large accumulation of water and debris however worries CNE experts who are evaluating the possibility of more mudslides or flash floods occurring at the site.

They however already ruled out that the mudslide may affect the bridge at La Paz Waterfall. Last year a strong river surge washed away the old Bailey bridge.

Geologists will continue assessing the situation. They’ll take a closer look at public infrastructures located in the area including a bridge in Santiaguito and various facilities belonging to the Costa Rica Electricity Institute in Cariblanco.

CNE recommends residents and visitors to remain on alert and avoid recreational activities along the Sarapiqui River unitl all evaluations at the site are completed. The area is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy rafting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Nepal landslide and flood: 34 killed, scores injured

nepal flood

Kathmandu, Aug 15: At least 34 people have been killed and hundreds of others gone missing in Nepal as heavy downpour continued for over three days across the country, triggering landslides and flood in rivers.

At least 11 people have died in Surkhet district, nine in Gorkha, Chitwan, Rukum districts, eight in Lalitpur, Udayapur, Dang and Manang districts, and six in Nawalparasi, Khotang, Sindhuli, Dhanusha, Makawnapur, Dhanusha districts, according to various media reports here.

Thousands of people have been displaced and huge chunks of arable land across the country covered by flood and debris. Hilly areas have witnessed landslips while plains are inundated.

Life in the plains has gone out of gear. Many people have started fleeing to safer places and sought immediate government help.

The mayhem has continued to take a toll on public life and property as well.

Thousands of people have been rendered homeless and several parts of the country are now disconnected as landslides have damaged highways.

Water-level in major rivers has risen above danger mark, causing fear of more floods in a large swathe of land in southern plains adjoining neighbouring India.

Landslide and floods have blocked highways, leaving passengers stranded, and damaged properties worth billion of rupees across the country.

On Aug 2, a landslide in Sunkoshi river that blocked entire movement of the river left over 150 killed.

Admitting the government’s failure to launch rescue and search operation on time, Nepal’s Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam told parliament Friday that helicopter could not be dispatched for rescue due to bad weather. It is yet to be concluded how much damage has been done by landslide and flood, he added.

“Dozens of villages are waterlogged in southern plains and in some districts entire villages are inundated, displacing thousands of people,” the minister said.

Incessant downpour has made rescue operation difficult and ineffective. Water-level in major rivers has risen above the danger-level and bridges on these rivers have become dangerous, the minister said.

All security agencies have been put on round-the-clock alert, he said, adding that an Indian security post located on the Nepal-India border was rescued from flood in Rapti river by Nepali security personnel.

Modified Date: August 15, 2014 10:46 PM

Comment by Tracie Crespo on August 23, 2014 at 7:02pm: http://gazette.com/rain-turns-washington-fire-scars-into-muddy-rive...

Wash. flash flooding damages estimated 10 home

TWISP, Wash. (AP) — Heavy rains that unleashed mud slides in an area of north-central Washington where hillsides have been left barren by wildfires damaged or destroyed an estimated 10 homes and blocked highways, officials said Friday.

14 photos + caption This image made from a video provided by KOMO News shows a car in north central Washington after rain created mudslides on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The land, which was left bare by wildfires, washed down hillsides, damaged homes and closed highways. (AP Photo/KOMO News)

Damage to homes included mud, rushing water and the powerful force of the two together.

Resident Janie Lewis tells The Seattle Times (http://is.gd/a6zLO8) that a cascade of mud and water blew open her door Thursday evening, knocking down her husband and depositing several feet of mud in their house. They were unhurt.

"The river was running through the house," she said. "We're lucky to be alive."

More than 40 friends showed up unannounced Friday to help them dig out, she said.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said he believes a couple of the 10 homes were destroyed, a few were knocked off their foundations, many suffered mud damage.

"Still no injuries," he said Friday night. "No deaths. No missing people."

A section of State Highway 153 through the hard-hit Methow Valley remained closed Friday.

Chunks of highways were eaten away by the deluge.

There were at least two slides on State Highway 20 in a 30-mile stretch from Twisp to Okanogan, Transportation Department spokesman Jeff Adamson said. That stretch of road was closed until Friday afternoon.

More thunderstorms had been forecast for Friday and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch but it was allowed to expire Friday evening.

"There were a few light showers in wildfire areas but nothing like the thunderstorms that came through yesterday," meteorologist Matthew Fugazzi said Friday night.

The multiple slides had marooned as many as a dozen vehicles but occupants of those cars were rescued, the Washington State Patrol said.

The slides and flooding hit hard in areas burned by this summer's Carlton Complex wildfires. The fires burned more than 400 square miles and 500 firefighters remain in the area mopping up.

"This flooding is in the areas that were burned," Adamson said. "It brings down rocks, mud and water."

Residents said they were feeling disheartened.

"It's like another nail in the coffin," Carlton General Store owner Jeff Lyman told the newspaper. "It's pretty bad down here right now."

Maggie Garrett, who lives on Benson Creek, described fences torn down and deep channels carved through driveways and backyards.

"It was literally like a river running through here," she said. "And now, everything's 6 inches under mud."

close

Comment by Tracie Crespo on August 23, 2014 at 2:10am: www.ticotimes.net/2014/08/22/large-mudslide-partially-blocks-sarapi...

Large mudslide partially blocks Sarapiquí River in Alajuela

Officials at the National Emergency Commission (CNE) confirmed that a mudslide Thursday night partially has blocked the Sarapiquí River in north-central Costa Rica.

Red Cross spokesman Alexander Porras said Friday that some 150 cubic meters of mud and debris currently are blocking a large part of the river flow, in an unpopulated area of Nueva Cinchona, north of Alajuela.

Local residents said they heard loud noises coming from the mountains along the river around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. Those reports were followed by several more reports of a severe decrease in the river flow and of muddy water coming out from the local aqueduct, according to the Red Cross and CNE.

CNE geologists on Friday conducted an on-the-ground inspection and confirmed the largest accumulation of debris is located some 20 kilometers from the nearest community, at La Virgen de Sarapiquí, and that it currently does not pose any immediate threat for its residents.

Residents at various north central communities reported loud noises coming from the mountains.

(Courtesy of Red Cross)

The large accumulation of water and debris however worries CNE experts who are evaluating the possibility of more mudslides or flash floods occurring at the site.

They however already ruled out that the mudslide may affect the bridge at La Paz Waterfall. Last year a strong river surge washed away the old Bailey bridge.

Geologists will continue assessing the situation. They’ll take a closer look at public infrastructures located in the area including a bridge in Santiaguito and various facilities belonging to the Costa Rica Electricity Institute in Cariblanco.

CNE recommends residents and visitors to remain on alert and avoid recreational activities along the Sarapiqui River unitl all evaluations at the site are completed. The area is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy rafting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Comment by Mark on August 21, 2014 at 10:24am: Nepal: Thousands displaced by floods and landslides - August 19

http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/news-stories/asia-pacific/nep...

Heavy monsoon rains in Nepal have caused extensive flooding and several landslides throughout the country. More than 225,000 people are affected and 35,000 have been forced to leave their homes. To date, 70 people are confirmed dead and 181 are still missing. The number of casualties is expected to rise. 75 per cent of the displaced population are from the districts of Surkhet, Bardiya and Kailali in the western part of the country.

Roads and bridges have been damaged or destroyed and livestock and crops have been washed away. Over 4,600 houses have been damaged and more than 10,000 partially destroyed. Due to fallen electrical and telecommunication poles, the communication network and electricity supply are greatly restricted and drinking water supply system in the Surkhet valley was also disrupted.

In response, branches of Nepal Red Cross Society have mobilised more than 200 trained volunteers and staff to conduct rapid assessments, assist in search and rescue operations and provide relief services and first aid to affected people. Relief efforts to many scattered and remote areas are seriously hampered due to the continuous rain and impassable roads. Adding to the gravity of the situation is the lack of temporary evacuation centres. Some families are forced to live in the open.

Comment by Howard on August 20, 2014 at 2:26am: Major Landslides Bury Children Alive in Hiroshima Japan (Aug 20)

Rescue efforts sprang into high gear in Hiroshima, Japan, early Wednesday morning after a series of landslides buried people in their homes as they slept. At least three people have already been confirmed dead.

The landslides happened in the city's Asaminami and Asakita wards between 3:20 and 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. A 77-year-old woman and a 2-year-old boy have died, and as many as 21 people are missing, public broadcaster NHK reports. The identity of the third victim was not yet released.

The broadcast organization also pinpointed at least 20 locations in Hiroshima city where people were stranded or trapped.

At least 3 landslides struck the city, burying at least 12 people alive, according to Fuji TV. The Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's leading newspapers, says an 11-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy were in their home when the mud slammed into it. The younger child was pulled from the muck but was in cardiac arrest. Rescuers were attempting to reach the 11-year-old and nine other people.

Several of the city's hilly northern neighborhoods have been evacuated, according to the website of Hiroshima's city government. Schools were opened as shelters.

The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded 3.92 inches of rain in one hour in Asakita Ward, by far the largest 1-hour rainfall amount since records began for that location in 1976. Over 9 inches of rain have fallen there in the past 24 hours, also an all-time record for the site.

Sources

http://www.weather.com/news/hiroshima-japan-landslide-buries-childr...

https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/24759363/four-dead-as-heavy-rain-...

Comment by Andrey Eroshin on August 18, 2014 at 11:29pm: 07.08.14. Landslide buried 32 in GANJIA ZHAIZI, Ludian, China

http://www.chinanews.com/tp/hd2011/2014/08-08/387642.shtml

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&a...

Comment by Mark on August 16, 2014 at 11:09am: Ecuador earthquake triggers huge landslide at quarry after hillside collapses on workers killing two and injuring eight
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2724623/Ecuador-earthquake-...

With dust billowing into the sky, this is the moment a hillside crumbled to the ground at a busy construction site in Ecuador killing two workers and injuring eight more.

The hillside collapsed after an earthquake triggered a landslide at a quarry site in Ecuador, seven miles north of the capital of Quito.

It killed two employees of a Chinese contractor that works for the city. Eight more were injured.

A further three people are still missing from the quarry after the landslide in the Catequilla area of the country, near the Equator.

Parts of Quito were covered in clouds of dust that formed from moving earth at the nearby quarry, and the capital's Tababela airport was temporarily suspended.

Another landslide engulfed a vehicle on a road north of the city, but the driver escaped unharmed, rescue workers said.

Comment by KM on August 15, 2014 at 11:16pm: http://www.india.com/news/world/nepal-landslide-and-flood-34-killed...

Nepal landslide and flood: 34 killed, scores injured

By Indo-Asian News Service @indiacom | August 15, 2014 10:45 PM |

Kathmandu, Aug 15: At least 34 people have been killed and hundreds of others gone missing in Nepal as heavy downpour continued for over three days across the country, triggering landslides and flood in rivers.

At least 11 people have died in Surkhet district, nine in Gorkha, Chitwan, Rukum districts, eight in Lalitpur, Udayapur, Dang and Manang districts, and six in Nawalparasi, Khotang, Sindhuli, Dhanusha, Makawnapur, Dhanusha districts, according to various media reports here.

Thousands of people have been displaced and huge chunks of arable land across the country covered by flood and debris. Hilly areas have witnessed landslips while plains are inundated.

Life in the plains has gone out of gear. Many people have started fleeing to safer places and sought immediate government help.

The mayhem has continued to take a toll on public life and property as well.

Thousands of people have been rendered homeless and several parts of the country are now disconnected as landslides have damaged highways.

Water-level in major rivers has risen above danger mark, causing fear of more floods in a large swathe of land in southern plains adjoining neighbouring India.

Landslide and floods have blocked highways, leaving passengers stranded, and damaged properties worth billion of rupees across the country.

On Aug 2, a landslide in Sunkoshi river that blocked entire movement of the river left over 150 killed.

Admitting the government’s failure to launch rescue and search operation on time, Nepal’s Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam told parliament Friday that helicopter could not be dispatched for rescue due to bad weather. It is yet to be concluded how much damage has been done by landslide and flood, he added.

“Dozens of villages are waterlogged in southern plains and in some districts entire villages are inundated, displacing thousands of people,” the minister said.

Incessant downpour has made rescue operation difficult and ineffective. Water-level in major rivers has risen above the danger-level and bridges on these rivers have become dangerous, the minister said.

All security agencies have been put on round-the-clock alert, he said, adding that an Indian security post located on the Nepal-India border was rescued from flood in Rapti river by Nepali security personnel.

Modified Date: August 15, 2014 10:46 PM

Comment by Derrick Johnson on August 15, 2014 at 8:58am

Landslide kills three in Tripura

Google Maps

Agartala: A woman and her two children were killed when a landslide buried their house in Tripura, police said here on Friday.

"Ritumala and her two minor children died on the spot when their tin-roofed house was buried in a mudslide," a police official said.
The accident took place following heavy rains at Sabroom in southern Tripura on Thursday night.
Ritumala, 31, and her two children - a six-month-old son and a four-year-old daughter - were buried, while her husband and his elder child escaped

Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/landslide-kills-three-in-t...

Comment by Howard on August 15, 2014 at 4:44am: Rare Landslide Derails Passenger Train in Switzerland; 11 People Injured (Aug 13)

Three train cars derailed and 11 people were injured Wednesday after a landslide hit a mountain train in the Swiss Alps, police said. One carriage slid down a steep slope, saved from a ravine only by large trees.

The accident occurred in a deep wooded valley between Tiefencastel and Solis, southeast of Zurich. Police said about 140 people were on board.

Five people were seriously injured and another six sustained slight injuries, Graubuenden police spokeswoman Anita Senti said. They included eight Swiss, two Japanese citizens and one Australian, police said.

The train had set off from the ski resort of St. Moritz heading north toward Chur, Graubuenden’s administrative capital.

Police initially said the train ran into a landslide on the track, but later revised their comments to say a landslide hit the train as it travelled between two tunnels along the side of a valley. One train car slid about 10 metres (33 feet) down the slope before being stopped by the trees.

Air rescue helicopters helped with the recovery effort since the crash site was not near a road. By mid-afternoon, everyone had been evacuated, with uninjured passengers taken to Tiefencastel and put on buses.

The train is operated by Rhaetische Bahn, which runs narrow-gauge routes in Switzerland’s mountainous southeastern corner that are popular with tourists. The line is expected to remain closed for two days.

Switzerland’s rail system is considered among the safest and most efficient in the world, despite the country’s challenging terrain.

Sources

http://thechronicleherald.ca/world/1229238-landslide-hits-train-in-...

http://mainichi.jp/graph/2014/08/14/20140814p2g00m0dm033000c/002.html

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/train-derailed-in-eastern-switzerland/4...

Comment by David on August 12, 2014 at 6:48pm: More on Starr DiGiacomo's post on the landslide in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 5th:

On Tuesday morning Aug 5, around 6 am, a large landslide underwent rapid and sustained failure in the Eaglepointe subdivision in Salt Lake City, Utah, displacing some tens of meters over a period of minutes.

One house was destroyed and three others imminently threatened.

The development of this landslide was brilliantly caught on a time-lapse by KUTV reported Holly Menino and 2News photographer Mike Stephen.

http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2014/08/12/eaglepointe-1/

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Wash. flash flooding damages estimated 10 home

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