It wasnt until we got home and turned on the news that we discovered it was a mile-long clog of the river, in an area where 30+ buildings and homes existed. There are no more homes, no more structures. This slide was amazing. I am intrigued by mother nature and the power and destruction it can cause. I certainly feel pain and sadness for ALL the lives that have been lost and the family and friends and community surrounding this tragedy. I feel compelled to watch any updates I can, to learn more, see more, hear more... If I could go up and help and volunteers were needed, I honestly think I would strongly consider it. But they have plenty of help. I think it will take months to recover the bodies, 6 days later and I feel it is pretty hopeless that any survivors will be found, although miracles can happen. There are 16 reported deaths confirmed, 25 bodies recovered (waiting to officially identify those 9 before reporting) and potentially 125 cases of people missing! This landslide has the potential to be the deadliest natural disaster in WA State history (worst was in 1910 when the town of Wellington WA was caught up in a major avalanche killing 96 people. There had been a terrible snow storm for days, 2 trains were held up in this town waiting for it to pass, when this avalanche happened just below the current Stevens Pass Resort). And this landslide also is working its way to becoming one of the deadliest in the United States.
Before and After.. although the yellow line on the far right I believe is incorrect as the slide appears to have take away a lot more of that hillside than indicated in the drawing. And whats hard to comprehend too is that this is a mile long blockage.. pictures make it seem much smaller than reality.
Should be an interesting time over the next few months as bodies are recovered. My only hope is that they can find/recover them all. In a weird kind of way, I look forward to going up to this area when this is all settled and time has moved on, to see first hand the devastation so close to home. This is in reality only about 45 minutes from our home. No where near danger and I am thankful to live on a flat piece of property.. Derek has family up in that area, about 2 miles or so down river from this, but not in any real danger.
When I lay down at night, or sit and watch tv, I try to think about and appreciate all that I have and how quickly it could go away. I've tried to imagine the feeling of that moment when the mountain came down upon those helpless people.. I choke up a lot when watching the reports, more so as the days go on and you can see the strain this is taking on all those involved in getting a handle on the situation. As their voices crack on the tv, my eyes shed small tears. The fire chief of Arlington is a friend.. not a current friend, but someone I met when I was about 18, someone Derek grew up, I spent weekends chatting and hanging out with him (back in my cruising Marysville days) and even spent an evening with Derek & him at his family cabin out of Granite Falls. Its inspiring to see someone so young as the chief who appears to be handling this situation very well, but it is sad too as I have a personal connection to him and seem to feel more sadness when I watch him dealing with this.
Not sure when/if the novelty of the situation will wear off on me.. I just feel compelled to take it all in. When 911 happened, Derek & I lived in Marysville and did not have TV. It was a luxury we thought we didnt need and yeah, 90% of the time we probably dont need it. But after that tragedy happened, it took a week to get TV hooked up and I told myself I would do what I could to never go w/o again.. because of situations like this. That need to stay involved by getting educated by the news and reports. In times like this, I am glad to be able to afford the tv to stay informed and then have the senseless shows to take me out of reality and just spend some time laughing and letting go for even just an hour.
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