A devastating natural disaster in Washington left many people wondering if they will ever see their families and neighbors again. About fifty-five miles northeast of Seattle, in the small town of Oso, the landslide destroyed everything in it’s path. The death count is up to eight since the landslide on Saturday; however, the list of missing is growing and is now at a total of one hundred and eight names along with seven injured.

The landside covered about one square mile. Recent heavy rain and ground saturation over the area is the cause for the movement. The extra fifteen inches of rain, almost double the normal rainfall in the areas: caused very unstable ground. Rescue crews are rapidly growing and over one hundred people and a few search dogs are searching the areas. Voices calling for help were heard late Saturday night, but because of the lack of safety in the darkness the teams could not continue searching. The crews work on both sides of the slide and helicopters search for people who may have been able to get free. The landslide can be up to fifteen feet deep in some places. This makes the main focus to keep responders safe while also rescuing many others who may be trapped. Large machinery is also being brought in to move some of the mud. The search continues, but no one has been found alive since the search started and hope is growing small.

 At least thirty houses were destroyed in the landslide and as many as sixteen were damaged. Residence upstream and downstream the Stillaguamish River were warned of possible flooding. Many people in surrounding areas were moved into shelters due to the fear that the ground could continue to shift. Although a similar slide occurred in 2006, the disaster was not anticipated by anyone.