The Washington Army National Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency joined local officials in the search Tuesday, using specially trained dogs and sonar technology to scour the vast affected area, reports the Seattle Times. Two more bodies were discovered Tuesday, bringing the official death toll to 16, while an additional eight were located but not recovered.
Residents of the small town devastated by a massive mudslide knew that there was a “high risk” of this kind of disaster in the area, according to a Washington state official.
“This entire year we have pushed message after message that there’s a high risk of landslides,” John Pennington, director of Snohomish County Emergency Management said. “The dangers and the risks are known.”
That marks a change of stance from Monday, when Pennington stated, “This was a completely unforeseen slide. This came out of nowhere.” The Seattle Times reported late Monday that a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report had warned as long ago as 1999 of the “potential for a large catastrophic failure” on the hill that collapsed at the weekend.
Approximately 176 people are still reported missing after the devastating mudslide, which took place over the weekend after a long period of heavy rain. A smaller mudslide hit the area in 2006, although Pennington said that adjustments had since been made.
Rescue workers are still scouring through the wreckage, 55 miles northeast of Seattle, to find survivors. Firefighters have reported difficulties with the terrain, that are slowing the process. “It’s like quicksand out there,” local fire chief Travis Hots said. “Some of my guys could only go 50 feet in five minutes.”
Pennington says that he believes in miracles and is reserving hope. President Obama asked Americans to send prayers Washington’s way.
Article Appeared @http://time.com/37377/washington-state-mudslide-survivors/