California - landslides happen.
They happened in the fifties, they happen today.
The difference is they were less bother some in the fifties for a couple of reasons.
1) Sprawl had not extended so far to the foothills.
2) "They" use to seed the hills with grass seed to help stabilize a hill side.
My uncle's back yard hill side slide onto his back yard and touched his house. Circa 1959. Studio City, San Fernando Valley.
I do believe I got a whole 3" through both storms - whoopie. Well better than nothing.
This may save a desert wildflower season, or the seeds remain dormant until their inhibitors are washed away.
Hopes for a March miracle do not seem to be in the forecast, unless a distant 10% prediction magnifies to something bigger.
Re.: Landslides
Sometimes they don't happen for days or over a week from the rain.
My Royal Apricot and Mid Pride Peach in the front yard are loosing their blossoms and demonstrating "fruit".
The Peach trees in the backyard remain asleep. The cherry trees are barely nudging and the fig showing some green and one fruit.
Potato plants are vibrant and green while the tomato suffers, making fruit but not growing.
Onions and garlic are sprouting.
Moi
WeatherWatcher Gardener
Don't Worry, I am
Last year in February the spring flowers were poking through. 
This year (March 4) they are burried under 4 to 5 feet of snow and ice. 