Heavy rain has renewed concerns about more landslides in the region after several occurred Thursday night into Friday.
Mount Adams
One lane on Martin Drive in Mount Adams was closed after mud and debris came down the hillside. The movement began gradually late Thursday night and continued into early Friday morning, according to video surveillance footage from across the street.
“These homeowners haven’t been digging into the hill or cutting it, so it’s really just an actual natural occurrence,” said Eric Russo, Executive Director of the Hillside Trust.
April is the middle of landslide season, and there are several dynamics at play. The ground is oversaturated after the snow from the winter melted. When it rains, 12-inch tears of exposed dirt, called scarps, become dangerous.
“When rain gets in there, it hits the bedrock plane, and the dirt, it’s almost like a slip and slide,” Russo said. “The dirt can’t hold itself, and the rain and gravity bring it down.”…