DOT Releases $1 Million to Repair Roads Damaged by SR530 Slide
Snohomish County's emergency management department reported there is concern that additional slide activity may occur at the site, which caused some ground rescue crews to be pulled back from the search area and geologists to take surveys to assess the risk.
The death toll stood at 24 on March 25 from the powerful mudslide that swept away houses and covered a section of SR 530 near the town of Oso, Wash., three days earlier. The search for potential survivors continued, with search dogs and helicopters involved in it and scores of people still listed as missing. The federal government also is lending support, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx making $1 million available in emergency relief funds to help Washington state cover the costs of repairing damaged roads and FEMA helping to carry out a presidential disaster declaration.
Snohomish County's emergency management department reported there is concern that additional slide activity may occur at the site, which caused some ground rescue crews to be pulled back from the search area and geologists to take surveys to assess the risk.
The county reported a volunteer rescue worker was injured while working in the debris area of the one-mile-square slide on March 25. "The injury occurred when a small piece of debris was thrown up in helicopter wash and struck him in the head. The injuries appear minor and the victim was transported to an area hospital for evaluation," according to its report.
Foxx said the $1 million in emergency funds "represent the first installment of our commitment to the people of Washington state while our thoughts continue to be with the families suffering great losses from this disaster. This devastating mudslide has damaged roads and bridges people rely on daily, and we'll be with the state as they recover."
DOT reported the Washington State Department of Transportation is still concerned about flash flooding and damage to downstream bridges and is still assessing damage caused by the mudslide.