The University of Washington has launched the nation’s first Landslide Exposure Database, identifying about 6.5 million Americans living in areas at high risk of landslides. The tool assesses 128 million buildings nationwide and combines landslide hazard data with socioeconomic indicators to pinpoint the communities most vulnerable to impacts and recovery challenges.
Researchers found that nearly 80% of at-risk residents live in Appalachia and along the West Coast, with West Virginia showing the highest share of exposed residents. The analysis also highlights a sharp urban-rural divide: while many landslide-prone urban neighborhoods are relatively affluent, vulnerable rural communities often have fewer resources to prepare for and recover from disasters.
The publicly available database is designed to help emergency managers, policymakers and residents better understand local risks, prioritize mitigation efforts and develop region-specific strategies to strengthen community resilience.