The deadly one square mile mudslide that took place on March 22 Saturday morning in Washington took the lives of eight people and one hundred unaccounted for. The mudslide was caused by rainwater accumulation in the ground over a period of weeks. Several towns in Snohomish County, including Oso and Darrington, were affected. Snohomish County is northeast of Seattle, near the Canadian border.
"Total devastation. I mean, it's just unbelievable. It reminds me of what a tornado looks like when it's touched the ground," said Ty Trenary, the sheriff of Snohomish County.
The catastrophic nature of the landslide had torn down six homes into pieces and buried a state highway, coating it with mud, rock and debris. 15-20 feet deep in some places said Shari Ireton, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County sheriff's office.
Photo by Washington State Dept of Transportation via Getty Images
The catastrophic nature of the landslide had torn down six homes into pieces and buried a state highway, coating it with mud, rock and debris. 15-20 feet deep in some places said Shari Ireton, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County sheriff's office.
The North Fork of the Stillaguanish River is pending potential flood risks up and downstream. Emergency workers were also put in danger as the slurry like mud had them sinking up to their armpits, requiring rescue themselves as they were pulled out with ropes.
By LISA BAUMANN and PHUONG LE Associated Press
“Mother Nature holds the cards,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at a news briefing here, about 20 miles from the slide
The tally of missing people may arise as the search continues, authorities also fear the death count may be more than the eight that have been confirmed dead. All residents in the slide zone who may have been away are asked to check in with local emergency officials or The Red Cross.
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