A library of Oso mudslide research and resources

Five weeks after the Oso mudslide, the recovery effort is winding down. Deferred questions await, and new priorities arise: What caused this unexpectedly big disaster on March 22, and did humans play a role? How do we restore crucial state Highway 530? What economic help is available? These and other issues are addressed by hundreds of pages of documents and dozens of websites that have emerged in recent weeks. As our communities work to recover from the most deadly disaster in Snohomish County history, we offer this selected list of major resources. We’ll update this online as things develop. If we overlooked a good link or document, email us at newstips@heraldnet.com.

Before

Preliminary Interpretation of Pre-2014 Landslide Deposits in the Vicinity of Oso, Wash. (2014)

Analysis of a 2013 survey showing likely slide paths over the past 14,000 years and their proximity to the hill that fell March 22.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Link: on.doi.gov/1dH27mt

Steelhead Haven Landslide Remediation Feasibility Study (2001)

A detailed history of geologic studies of the slide area and a look at ways to address instability, including buying homes and moving the North Fork Stillaguamish River to limit erosion. The primary focus was on reducing landslides to protect fish.

Source: Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and GeoEngineers Inc.

Link: bit.ly/1ilKlAA

This was part of a larger Stillaguamish River Ecosystem Restoration Study.

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Link: 1.usa.gov/RGdAZQ

Stillaguamish River Comprehensive Flood Management Plan (2004)

The plan adopted by the county to address flooding in the Stillaguamish River valley. The plan has received fresh attention because it did not place a top priority on buying out owners of property that was buried in the March 22 slide this year.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: bit.ly/1eFcwPK

Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan risk assessment (2004)

Landslide hazards are in chapter 15.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: bit.ly/RGcqNS

530 slide permit and building information

Maps and timelines prepared by county planners detailing when and where homes were built.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: bit.ly/1jONs86

Permitting and code documents

Hundreds of pages of county records about land use in Oso, starting in the 1930s. Includes zoning codes, building permits, aerial photos, plat maps and reports on efforts to mitigate damage from a 2006 slide.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: bit.ly/1ja3zvc

Snohomish County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (2010)

The plan the county was required to prepare under federal law, detailing the ways it intended to respond to natural hazards risks, including flooding, earthquake, wildfires and landslides.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: http://bit.ly/RGcqNS

Chapter on landslides

Link: bit.ly/1jrri90

After

Highway 530 slide resources

One stop location for records, links and information compiled by Snohomish County regarding the Oso mudslide.

Source: Snohomish County

Link: bit.ly/1h88r1r

Landslide in Washington State

A synopsis of what the U.S. Geological Survey knows about the Oso slide. Includes a video animation, maps, photographs and a chart of seismological readings.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Link: on.doi.gov/1h82rpc

Oso landslide scientific information

River data, geospatial data, satellite images and other information.

Source: USGS Washington Water Science Center

Link: on.doi.gov/1lOQc9N

Seismic report on Oso landslide

Source: USGS Washington Water Science Center

Link: on.doi.gov/1lQnxN2

Federal Aid Programs for State of Washington Disaster Recovery (2014)

Federal disaster aid programs that are available under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for Washington.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Link: 1.usa.gov/1nOfT7t

DisasterAssistance.gov

Detailed information about federal disaster-assistance programs and how to register for benefits.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Link: www.disasterassistance.gov

Disaster unemployment benefits for 530 landslide

Disaster unemployment benefits are now available to workers and self-employed people who lost jobs or had work hours substantially reduced as a result of the slide.

Source: Washington Employment Security Department

Link: 1.usa.gov/1ily0SG

Highway 530 reopening

A Web page dedicated to efforts by the state and Snohomish County to develop a plan for clearing Highway 530 after search efforts are complete. About 100,000 cubic yards of material cover the roadway. It could take up to three months to clear it.

Source: Washington State Department of Transportation

Link: 1.usa.gov/1ijSWJ1

How to help

A compilation of organizations and businesses collecting cash for those affected by the Oso mudslide.

Source: The Daily Herald

Link: bit.ly/1fbWhdA

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Lynnwood
Crash in Lynnwood fully blocks Highway 99

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, fully blocked southbound lanes. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett will welcome new CEO in June

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Search underway to find missing Everett child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday morning at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.