March 22, 2014: OSO LANDSLIDE

The landslide happened in Oso, Washington at 10:37 am on March 22, 2014.
The mud flow covered an area 1500 feet long and 4400 feet wide. In some places, the mud and debris was packed up to 70 feet deep.
It took days before first responders were able to reach most of the victims, as the mud and debris did not allow for easy access to the scene of the disaster.
Initial reports were simply that the river had flooded, but it was later discovered that an entire hillside had slipped off and flowed down into a small development of houses.
A number of volunteer organizations aided in the effort to find survivors and establish resources, including FEMA, the National Guard, and the Red Cross.

Death and Injury

There were 43 deaths. Many structures were damaged, forty-nine homes were engulfed by mud and debris, and the main access road to the town was blocked.

With the shock of the sudden disaster, loss of property, uncertainty of the livelihood of loved ones, grief for those already known to be lost, and gruesome images of the damage from the landslide, it is not hard to imagine the emotional and psychological pain community members and rescuers faced in the aftermath.
While it is uncertain if any of the survivors of the Oso Washington Landslide suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, it seems unlikely that a person would be able to walk away unaffected.