This is so awful and tragic. I look at the overhead pictures and wonder where did the mud come from. I know that I plan for the dangers in my area, fire being the biggest threat. I wonder if mudslides have been an issue in this area, it looks like it was an area high up.
Yes, Mud Slides are very common in that river valley, as well as most river valleys in western Washington State. This was just a larger than normal Slide, and due to saturated Ground, typical in Spring, in this area.
I'm hoping no one I knew when I lived in Snohomish county are those who died(or had family/friends die). Don't need that right now. I don't think mudslides are a direct threat to us in our current location, but they could be a problem because there could be ones on the way into Klamath Falls which would cut our access off to supplies and (emergency) medical treatment.
Having lived in Chiloquin for a year and a half, I don't think a mudslide would help. I think you're S.O.L. there, Mountainman
Thanks for posting that picture YD. It give more of a perspective of what happened. Those overhead shots were confusing. I wonder if the river will be on a different path now.
It doesn't look like the river was moved much - from what I've seen before and after - but I could be wrong, too. MMom - where there's rain, there's mud. Mus is prevalent (an understatement) here in the NW. When contractors build where the ground is unstable; mud slides. Innocent people (ones with no geology report - or ones willing to take the chance) suffer.
The river backed up for a bit behind the slide but fortunately it cut a new channel through the debris and prevented additional flooding. I suspect there are going to be some significant law suits out of this tragedy if they can prove that there was some geological studies found saying this area was prone to slides.....which I have heard was the case. Either way, a lot of folks have lost their lives and many are struggling to find the missing still. The news here is pretty much nothing but this recovery effort as it is just an hour away from Seattle....
YD , Find the before pictures from 2006-8 time & then at 2012 or just before 2014 the slide , It shows clear cutting logging . The pictures I found on sunday night have been pulled. Some show the lighter green from young saplings. Just this year there have been five snow slides & since 2000, about 5 mud / mountain slides up here in BC Canada. It's just that the news stops at 49 going south. Those folks trying to help could also be in grave danger ,due to the rain & the river blockage .. The last slide we had up here in BC , Non-Equipped helpers also became a statistic, If you can't breath under snow , mud is so much worse. Link of slides just in 2012 : bc landslides 2012 - Google Search
Very sad. Lets hope the SAR crews stay safe, and we don't end up with more casualties. Still praying someone else comes out alive.
