What is a debris flow?

Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides. They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, trees - and sometimes homes or vehicles.  You'll often hear "debris flows" called "mudslides" or "mudflows." Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide. Debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.

Safety Steps to Prepare

BEFORE THE STORM:

1. Determine if your home, business, schools or necessary travel routes are in the at-risk areas by referring to the maps above. 
2. Learn the plan for your local school. Parents of school age children should contact their school district or visit their websites to learn what steps the district will take to ensure student safety. This may include school closures and evacuations. 
3. Know all your local access roads and understand that some may be blocked by debris or water. Have an alternate route. Stay informed or road and highway conditions by visiting the Riverside County Transportation Department's website at rctlma.org/trans and Caltrans' website at quickmap.dot.ca.gov. 
4. Learn about debris flows. Their dangers are different than the water and mud of typical storms. 
5. Flood insurance: Most homeowners insurance does not cover floods or flows from natural disasters. Make sure your home is protected. Refer to the National Flood Insurance Program website at FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program. Act now. Most flood insurance policies take up to 30 days to go into effect.
6. Have an emergency plan and a disaster kit ready to go. 

 AS A STORM APPROACHES:

1. Follow all orders by public safety officials. Sign up for emergency alerts at RivCoReady.org/AlertRivCo.
2. Leave before any flows begin, this the only safe time to leave. If debris flows, mud or water are already flowing, get higher than the flow, such as going to the highest floor in your home. 
3. Heed all evacuations. Evacuations Warnings (Voluntary) will be issued for at-risk areas 24-48 hours before an expected storm. As stated above, the safest time to leave is before any flow begins. Mandatory Evacuation Orders will be issued 6-12 hours before the storm.
4. Monitor official weather reports and heed weather alerts. Understand that the weather where you are can be different than back in the mountains where the flows start. 
5. Never drive or walk into flood waters, mud or debris, and never go around barricades. It is impossible to know how deep the water or mud is just by looking at it and the depth can change quickly.
6. Protect your property structures with sandbags and other methods to divert water from entering structures and reduce erosion on your property. Visit RVCFire.org to see a list of local fire station offering limited and unfilled sandbags and sand. 
7. As always, in case of emergency, dial 9-1-1. 

• Silver Birch Rd, Songbird Drive, Sparrow Lane, Teaberry Court, Towhee Lane, Kingbird Drive, and Peony Drive.

• Someone looking in windows of houses and parked cars.
• Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home.
• Cars, van, or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination or without lights.
• A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
• Individuals walking at odd times in the day (late evening hours).