Death Toll Rises in Washington Mudslide as Search Drags On

2 minute read

Updated 11:46 p.m. EST

Rescue workers combing through the wreckage of the deadly mudslide in Washington State have raised the official death toll to 24, officials said on Monday, as the search hit its ninth day and even rescue dogs grew fatigued by the effort.

Authorities have identified 17 of the victims, officials said, but the identities of seven bodies remain unconfirmed. Twenty-two people are still missing after about 90 were unaccounted for in recent days. The death toll has risen slowly following the massive mudslide on March 22, which leveled the local community of Oso, Wash., after unusually heavy rains inundated the Pacific Northwest this month.

Search-and-rescue officials said on Sunday that dogs being used in the extensive operation would now need to rest for at least two days, the Associated Press reports. “The conditions on the slide field are difficult, so this is just a time to take care of the dogs,” Kris Rietmann, a spokeswoman for one of the leading rescue teams, told the AP.

If overworked, the animals could lose their keen sensing abilities that are pivotal to finding the missing who are buried under mud that ranges in height from 15 ft. to 75 ft. (4.6 m to 23 m). Dogs that were sent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reportedly continue to aid the rescue operations on Monday.

Rescue crews have cleared approximately 450 ft. (137 m) of the total 6,000 ft. (1,830 m) of earth and wreckage that buried the town in the mudslide, Snohomish County officials said. The latest weather forecasts predict dry conditions through at least Wednesday for northwest Washington.

While search teams continued to pick through the debris field, residents looked for solace amid the tragedy on Sunday as they squeezed into a number of churches in the area to reflect on the devastation.

“People say in times of disaster, it brings out the best and the worst in people. But I’m just seeing the best,” Pastor Gary Ray of Oso Community Chapel told CNN. “I’m seeing patience and sacrifice. Character is being developed. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do hope for some unexpected blessings.”

Hope and Fear After Deadly Mudslide

Volunteer Ralph Jones, left, and Tim Perciful of the Mountainview, Black Diamond Fire Department, help keep Klarissa Calviste and her daughter Kielie Braaten, left, and Brooke Odenius and her daughter Bexli dry as they observe a state-wide moment of silence to honor the victims of the Oso mud slide in front of the Darrington, Wash. Fire Department, March 29, 2014.
Volunteer Ralph Jones, left, and Tim Perciful of the Mountainview, Black Diamond Fire Department, help keep Klarissa Calviste and her daughter Kielie Braaten, left, and Brooke Odenius and her daughter Bexli dry as they observe a state-wide moment of silence for victims of the Oso mudslide at the Darrington Fire Dept., March 29, 2014.Joshua Trujillo—seattlepi.com/AP
A search and rescue dog works the area of a massive mudslide on March 29, 2014 in Oso, Wash.
A search and rescue dog works the area of a massive mudslide on March 29, 2014 in Oso, Wash.David Ryder—Getty Images
Darrington Fire District 24 volunteer firefighters, Jeff McClelland, left, Jan McClelland, center, and Eric Finzimer embrace each other, March 26, 2014, in Darrington, Wash., after saying a prayer for the victims and survivors of the massive mudslide.
Darrington Fire District 24 volunteer firefighters, Jeff McClelland, left, Jan McClelland, center, and Eric Finzimer embrace each other, March 26, 2014, in Darrington, Wash., after saying a prayer for the victims and survivors of the massive mudslide.Marcus Yam—The Seattle Times/AP
Rescued horses relax at the Darrington Rodeo Grounds on March 27, 2014 in Darrington, Wash.
Rescued horses relax at the Darrington Rodeo Grounds on March 27, 2014 in Darrington, Wash.David Ryder—Getty Images
Rescue worker looks over the debris pile from the mudslide in Oso
A rescue worker looks over the debris pile from the mudslide in Oso, Wash., March 27, 2014. Mark Mulligan—Reuters
The muddied waters of the dammed North Fork Stillaguamish River mix with the cleaner South Fork flow in Arlington, Wash., March 27, 2014.
The muddied waters of the dammed North Fork Stillaguamish River mix with the cleaner South Fork flow in Arlington, Wash., March 27, 2014.Jordan Stead—seattlepi.com/AP
Residents attend a community prayer service on March 26, 2014 in Darrington, Wash.
Residents attend a community prayer service on March 26, 2014 in Darrington, Wash. David Ryder—Getty Images
Teresa Welter cries as she holds a candle at a candlelight vigil for the victims of the deadly mudslide in Arlington, Wash., March 25, 2014.Ted S. Warren—AP
Diane Boyd gets a hug from Julien Loh before a community prayer service on March 26, 2014 in Darrington, Wash.
Diane Boyd gets a hug from Julien Loh before a community prayer service on March 26, 2014 in Darrington, Wash.David Ryder—Getty Images
A searcher uses a small boat to look through debris from a deadly mudslide, March 25, 2014, in Oso, Wash.
A searcher uses a small boat to look through debris from a deadly mudslide, March 25, 2014, in Oso, Wash. Elaine Thompson—AP
Washington Mudslide
Rescue workers remove a body from the wreckage of homes destroyed by a mudslide near Oso, Wash, Monday, March 24, 2014.Joshua Trujillo—seattlepi.com/AP
A rescue worker is lowered from a helicopter, right, near Oso, Wash, Monday, March 24, 2014.
A rescue worker is lowered from a helicopter, right, near Oso, Wash, Monday, March 24, 2014.Joshua Trujillo—seattlepi.com/AP
Washington Mudslide
A search and rescue team brings out the tarp-covered body of a victim of Saturday's mudslide, Monday, March 24, 2014, near Oso, Wash. Joshua Trujillo—seattlepi.com/AP
Washington Mudslide
A bouquet of flowers left for victims sits perched on the seat of an abandoned vehicle in the wreckage of homes destroyed by Saturday's mudslide, Monday, March 24, 2014, near Oso, Wash. Joshua Trujillo—seattlepi.com/AP
Oso Mudslide
Mud splattered pictures in a home effected by Saturday's fatal mudslide near Oso, Wash., March 23, 2014. Genna Martin—The Herald/AP
A large number of volunteers turned out Monday March 24, 2014, wanting to help with the search in Oso, Washington.
A large number of volunteers turned out Monday March 24, 2014, wanting to help with the search in Oso, Washington. Dan Bates—The Herald/AP
Steve Skaglund walks across the rubble on the east side of Saturday's fatal mudslide near Oso, Wash., Sunday, March 23, 2014.
Steve Skaglund walks across the rubble on the east side of Saturday's fatal mudslide near Oso, Wash., Sunday, March 23, 2014. Genna Martin—The Herald/AP
Aerial photo shows the massive mudslide near Arlington, Wash, March 24, 2014.
Aerial photo shows the massive mudslide near Arlington, Wash., March 24, 2014.Ted S. Warren—AP

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