warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Washington Mudslide Possibly Caused By Microearthquake

Benjamin Li |
March 25, 2014 | 4:23 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

Washington state patrol photo of the devastation after the mudslide.
Washington state patrol photo of the devastation after the mudslide.
Officials suspect the deadly mudslide in Washington state was caused by a 1.1 magnitude micro-earthquake just 100 yards away from the rural community in Snohomish County.

The Snohomish County Emergency Management announced this Tuesday morning that the micro-earthquake happened two weeks prior to the mudslide, and may have triggered the mudslide by loosening the surrounding soil.

ALSO READ: Rescue Efforts Widen After Washington Mudslide

A report highlighting the structural instability of the area, written by geomorphologist Daniel Miler, was published in 1999.

According to NBC news, Miller expressed his surprise at the level of development in the area, saying he never would have built a house on that piece of land.

"We did anticipate this event could occur, but we had no idea what the probability was," Miller said.

Snohomish County Emergency Management Director John Pennington said that the local community "were very aware" of the potential mudslides, and that local authorities did all the could to notify and protect Snohomish County's residents.

"This is just one that hit us," Pennington said. "We did everything we could."

Displaced families are taking shelter in a local middle school in Arlington, Washington that Red Cross set up as a temporary care center.

"Still no sight of life after a night of searching," said District 21 Fire Chief Travis Hots. "Fourteen confirmed dead and the number is expected to go up."

 

176 people remain missing in the aftermath. 

 

Reach Executive Producer Benjamin Li here:



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.