US mudslide death roll rises to 14

The death toll from a devastating landslide in the US state of Washington rose to at least 14 with over 150 more potentially missing, as the White House announced federal help.

President Barack Obama has declared an emergency in Washington state and ordered federal authorities to co-ordinate the disaster relief effort.

Rescue workers continued their search Monday of a large quicksand-like debris pile in the northwestern state of Washington. It is a mix of mud and trees covering 2.6 square kilometers, and is six meters deep in some places.

Authorities released the names of 108 people who may have been living in or driving through the rural community north of Seattle on Saturday morning, when the mudslide struck with deadly force. No one has been found alive in the debris since Saturday.

One survivor was caught up in the wall of mud, trees and rocks and lived to describe the terrifying experience.

“There was literally a 20-foot wall of mud racing across the valley…. we were tumbled inside [our house] and had mud in our eyes and nose and mouth. I am really grateful I am alive.”

A fire department spokesman said late Sunday that rescuers did not hear any signs of life in the debris pile.

The mudslide destroyed as many as 30 houses in its path.

Officials blamed the mudslide on groundwater saturation after recent heavy rainfalls.

Source: THE TIMES OF EARTH and Agencies