Tim McCrink with the California Geological Survey says heavy rains that drop a lot of water in one area can trigger shallow, rapidly-moving landslides. That's the kind of rain that's in the forecast for parts of Northern California over the next few days. McCrink says it's critical to be aware - especially if you live on or beneath a slope:
McCrink: "You might hear roots breaking or you might see telephone poles leaning, strange bulges in the ground, springs and seeps that weren't there before suddenly popping up."
McCrink says areas affected by wildfires are especially
vulnerable to landslides, because the vegetation that holds the
soil in place has been burned away. He says if you're headed
to Tahoe you should also be aware that landslides have closed
highway 50 and Interstate 80 in the past