Articles | Volume 26, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-3163-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-3163-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Usage of normalized soil moisture for improving the performance of rainfall thresholds along transportation corridors
Department of Civil Engineering and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, United States
Abraham Alvarez Reyna
Department of Civil Engineering and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, United States
Jack Montgomery
Department of Civil Engineering and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, United States
Frances O'Donnell
Department of Civil Engineering and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, United States
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Short summary
Landslides along highways pose safety risks and disrupt travel. Many warning systems use rainfall data, but this alone may miss key factors. Using satellite-derived soil moisture, precipitation records, and landslide observations from Alabama, we found that wetter-than-average soil conditions increase landslide risk. We developed a framework that combines rainfall and soil moisture to improve prediction and reduce false alarms.
Landslides along highways pose safety risks and disrupt travel. Many warning systems use...
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