OSO, Wash. — Friday marks 10 years since the deadliest landslide in American history in Oso, Washington. As families commemorate the lives lost on its anniversary, lawmakers who spearheaded stronger protections through legislation look to reauthorize and expand those protections.
Forty-three people were killed on March 22, 2014, when the hillside above the Steelhead Haven neighborhood in Snohomish County collapsed, wiping out state Route 530, homes and cars.
Washington's Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Suzan DelBene introduced the National Landslide Preparedness Act in November 2020, and it was signed into law.
The National Landslide Preparedness Act directed the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a hazard reduction program to identify and understand landslide risks, reduce losses from slides and protect communities. The bill also created an early warning system for debris flow and established emergency response procedures.
It also granted the USGS the ability to provide grants for researching landslides.
Last month, Cantwell joined Alaksa Sen. Lisa Murkowski in introducing a bill to reauthorize and expand the National Landslide Preparedness Act for 10 years, through Fiscal Year 2034. The legislation would expand the original act by targeting gaps in science and mapping to help us better understand landslide hazards. The bill is currently slated to expire in September.
“On the anniversary of the Oso landslide, we honor the 43 people whose lives were suddenly and tragically cut short 10 years ago today. We also renew our gratitude to the first responders -- those who searched for and comforted survivors, and those who restored services to areas cut off by the landslide. Being there in the aftermath with the community is something I will never forget. This is a disaster we never want to see repeated, which is why I worked with Rep. DelBene to pass a law that improves our ability to recognize and prepare for catastrophic landslide risks and am now working with Sen. Murkowski to renew and expand that program," Cantwell said.