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."