Liquefaction concerns in Los Altos, CA. Is it safe to buy next to a creek?

Question

We are looking to buy a house in Los Altos. There is a creek right behind the house (where the backyard ends). The disclosures indicate that it is in an area of high liquefaction potential.

Should this be a concern? We are trying to assess if this is a real issue or a rare event. Anything to watch out for?

Would appreciate any help, advice or pointers to experts.

Thanks

Ishantha

Answer 1

Flooding is your first concern! Palo-Alto had heavy floods in its creek areas a few years back. You'll probably be required to buy flood insurance.

Liquefaction can only occur during a major earthquake. You can buy earthquake insurance, if you like.

There are web sites mapping out exact geologic risk factors for your neighborhood. Go search for them on the internet! Start at FEMA, looking at floodmaps.

Answer 2

I am not familiar with CA  realty disclosures.

This sounds like a warning that would have to do with earthquakes though, not the creek in the backyard.  In an earth quake if the soil is loose and not compacted and there is no bedrock, liquefaction can happen.  The dirt the house is on, will be liquid like during an earthquake and the house will sink into the earth, basement/footers everything, sink like it was built on a liquid. Liquefaction is due to geology, not housing construction, so all of your area neighbors would have the same potential problem.

Answer 3

ask a hydrologist.  And possibly send

a sample to a lab for a report.

IF the results are negative, find some other

place.  My mom lived there 40 yrs ago.

Answer 4

"high liquefaction potential." means that the property is highly likely to have a mud slide.

You may not be able to find insurance because of the rating.

They see slides in that area every 10 years or so.