Daily Landslide Observatory Report: March 22, 2026
1. USA: Emergency Debris Removal Begins on I-5 Bellingham After Massive Slide
Operations to reopen one of the Pacific Northwest’s most critical transit corridors have entered a high-stakes phase today, March 22, 2026.
- The Event: A 100-foot-wide landslide occurred Thursday evening (March 19) south of Bellingham, Washington, dumping between 2,000 and 3,000 cubic yards of debris onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 5.
- Trigger: Intense, prolonged rainfall from a multi-day atmospheric river, coupled with recent freeze-thaw cycles and bedrock joint failures in the Chuckanut Mountains.
- Engineering Response: Geotechnical engineers have spent the last 48 hours shoring up the 80-foot slope to prevent secondary failures. Emergency crews from Interwest Construction Inc. are beginning work today, operating 7 days a week during daylight hours to clear boulders described as “the size of buses.”
- Logistics: There is currently no estimated time for reopening. WSDOT expects to release a full repair timeline by Wednesday, March 25.
- More Info: Cascadia Daily News | WSDOT Official Blog
2. Hawaii: Second “Kona Low” Storm Prompts Statewide Landslide Alerts
Following record-breaking rainfall that saw Oʻahu’s North Shore face extreme flooding last week, a second Kona Low weather system is currently crossing the Hawaiian Islands as of March 21–22.
- The Threat: While this system is forecasted to be slightly weaker than its predecessor, the National Weather Service warns that the ground is already at maximum saturation. This significantly lowers the threshold for new landslides and flash flooding.
- Impact: Maui County has received the highest rainfall totals, with road blockages and debris reported on the Hāna Highway. In Oʻahu, several medical centers were forced to relocate psychiatric patients and close outpatient clinics due to flooding and landslide hazards.
- Risk Reduction: The Hawaii National Guard remains on standby for interisland evacuations. A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire state through 6:00 p.m. today, March 22.
- More Info: Maui Now Updates | County of Maui Civic Alerts
3. Spain: Storm Therese Triggers Emergency Plan in Canary Islands
Storm Therese continues to lash the Canary Islands today, March 22, with authorities maintaining high-level emergency status for geohazards.
- The Situation: The Tenerife Island Council has activated its Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) through the end of the day. Precipitation has been particularly intense across La Palma and Tenerife.
- Risk Management: To mitigate landslide risk, all forest tracks, recreational areas, and hiking paths have been closed. The TF-445 road near Punta de Teno remains shut due to the immediate risk of falling debris and coastal surges.
- Engineering Note: Heavy snow and ice in Mount Teide National Park (above 1,800 m) are adding complexity to slope stability as rapid melt-off may trigger debris flows in the island’s steep ravines.
- More Info: The Watchers News
Technical Spotlight: Lessons from Brazil’s Recovery
As you track these global events, a finalized World Weather Attribution (WWA) study released this week concerning the late-February landslides in Brazil offers a vital analytical framework. The study highlights that while climate change increased rainfall intensity by ~7%, the primary driver of the 125 fatalities was unplanned urban expansion on steep slopes. For risk reduction, the report stresses that technical alerts must be paired with physical stabilization and “last-mile” risk education for vulnerable communities.