By Rep. Kinkead

Have you ever felt the Earth move under your feet? Landslides can rip through neighborhoods, swallow roads, and force families from their homes with little to no warning. It’s a terrifying reality that far too many Pennsylvanians have faced — especially in western Pennsylvania, where steep hillsides and fragile soils create ideal conditions for these disasters.

Landslides, slope movements, and sinkholes are not just geologic phenomena. They are destructive, often devastating events that cause millions of dollars in property damage across our Commonwealth every year. And yet, most Pennsylvanians who live in landslide- prone areas are shocked to learn that their homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover these types of disasters. That means when disaster strikes, families are left picking up the pieces on their own — emotionally, physically, and financially.

As a lawmaker representing Allegheny County, where landslides are all too common, I know that it is far past time to change this and provide better protection for property owners across our region. That’s why I’ve consistently focused on advancing legislation to create a state-backed landslide insurance program in Pennsylvania since my first day in office.

While certain types of ground movement — like those caused by coal mining or categorized as mudslides — may already be covered by specific insurance policies, most landslides and sinkholes caused by natural conditions aren’t covered at all. That gap in coverage leaves thousands of households across the state vulnerable to financial ruin.

My legislation, H.B. 589, would establish a state program where property owners could purchase coverage for damage caused by landslides, slope movement, and sinkholes. The goal is to make this protection accessible and affordable for homeowners across the Commonwealth, especially in regions like ours that are more susceptible to these events.

Western Pennsylvania, in particular, is geologically predisposed to landslides. Our hills are steep, and the ground beneath us is made up of soft shale and clay-rich rock that’s easily weathered by water. Add in climate change contributing to more frequent heavy rains, flash flooding, and extreme weather patterns, and you have the perfect storm for a landslide.

But this is not just a western Pennsylvania issue. Across the Commonwealth, from Pittsburgh to the Poconos, homes and communities are increasingly at risk. As we saw recently on the other side of the state in Easton, where a massive chunk of road collapsed into a 15-foot-deep crater, forcing evacuations and damaging nearby homes, no region is immune.

And here’s the kicker: these events often don’t qualify for federal disaster assistance. That means the people who lose their homes, vehicles, and property are left to bear the burden on their own. It’s unconscionable and will continue to ruin lives until we act.

When we talk about disaster preparedness, we tend to focus on hurricanes, floods, or winter storms — and rightly so. But landslides are an equally serious threat in our state, and we need to treat them as such. Creating an insurance program is about providing peace of mind and long-term resilience to families who deserve the security of knowing they won’t be ruined by something entirely outside their control.

My legislation would not provide coverage for landslides triggered by irresponsible human activity like improper construction, grading, or drilling. If poor planning causes a slope to collapse, that’s a separate issue. This program is meant to protect people from natural hazards, not shield negligent developers.

We already know that this concept has bipartisan support. State Rep. Valerie Gaydos, a Republican representing portions of Allegheny County, has been a consistent advocate for this issue and joined me as a co-prime sponsor on this legislation. Establishing this program would be a meaningful step toward making our Commonwealth more resilient, more equitable, and more prepared. It’s also the right thing to do, because no one should lose their home in a natural disaster that they never even had the opportunity to insure against.

Natural disasters are unpredictable, but our response to them doesn’t have to be. Let’s build a future where our residents have access to protect their property from all types of natural hazards that occur in Pennsylvania. We need to take landslides seriously and ensure that Pennsylvania families have the coverage they need when the ground gives way.

If you want to learn more about this issue, other bills I’m working on, or the many ways my team and I can help you, please reach out to my office by email at RepKinkead@pahouse. net or call (412) 321-5523.