Chapter 8 › V.F Landslides and Slope Stabilization

A landslide damaged our facility. Will FEMA fix the slope as well as the facility?

FEMA term

Landslides and slope stabilization (permanent work)

Short answer

FEMA first determines whether the slope is stable. Restoring the facility and the ground that supports it is eligible unless the slope was unstable before the disaster, in which case you must stabilize it first.

What FEMA requires

Stable site: facility and its integral ground are eligible.
Unstable, no evidence of earlier instability: facility, integral ground and stabilization are eligible.
Unstable with earlier instability: integral ground is ineligible; the facility is eligible only after you stabilize the site.
Inspections and limited geotechnical work to determine stability and cause are eligible.
Stabilizing natural ground that doesn’t support the facility is generally ineligible. Relocation may be approved for repeated heavy damage if cost-effective.

Documentation

Geotechnical findings on stability and cause, and evidence of the slope’s pre-disaster condition.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Look for prior slope movement records before claiming. Evidence of earlier instability shifts stabilization costs to you.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.