Washington State Mudslide Disaster
The American Red Cross is helping families near the site of the tragic mudslide in Washington, providing a place to stay, food to eat and emotional support during this difficult time. Click here to learn more or to donate.
The death toll is expected to rise considerably within the next two days as the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office catches up with the recovery effort, Snohomish County District 21 Fire Chief Travis Hots said Thursday. Sixteen bodies have been recovered, but officials say at least nine more had been found as of Wednesday night.
The medical examiner's office so far has identified one victim, 45-year-old Christina Jefferds. "In the next 24 to 48 hours, as the medical examiner catches up with their work, you're going to see these numbers increase substantially," Hots said. There are 90 people confirmed missing, with another 35 who authorities are unsure were in the area when a hillside collapsed Saturday morning 55 miles northeast of Seattle.
Hope of a miracle discovery of a survivor has faded as the search entered its sixth day Thursday, but Hots said crews are going to exhaust all options in the effort to find somebody alive in the devastation. Learn more from KOMO News...
Crisis Hotline
A 24-hour crisis line has been set up for anyone feeling stress and/or grief who needs to talk to someone: 1-800-584-3578.
How can you help? You can send checks for gas cards:
Darrington Mudslide Fund
PO Box 90
Darrington, WA 98241
Note: Make sure to write "Gas" on the memo line of the check.
Remembering Those Lost here at http://www.king5.com/news/oso-landslide/remembering