Hope fading for family of those missing after mudslide in WA
Posted March 25, 2014 10:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY (NEWS1130) – The reality is becoming more grim for family and friends of those missing after a mudslide buried a community northeast of Seattle over the weekend.
“Most of us in these communities believe that we will not find any individuals alive,” says Emergency Manager John Pennington.
Cadaver dogs are heading in to look for bodies.
Reports say cries can no longer be heard from among the rubble.
Rae Smith’s daughter was driving when the wall of mud and debris came down near Oso Saturday morning, wiping out about 30 homes.
She says her heart is shattered into a million pieces. “Just want them to bring my daughter home and get her out of the mud. I just want to hold her.”
Meanwhile, rain that is set to fall through next weekend will make rescue crews’ work even more difficult. The mud could become less stable and will add to the difficulty of bringing in resources.
At least 14 people have been killed. There are now 176 people reported as missing, but authorities say some of those reports may be about the same people.
No survivors have been found since Saturday.
