2014 Oso mudslide facts for kids
On March 22, 2014, a huge mudslide happened near a town called Oso in Washington state. This powerful slide killed 41 people and injured 4 others. Two people were also reported missing. The mudslide hit a quiet neighborhood in the countryside and covered a very large area, about one square mile.
What is a Mudslide?
A mudslide is like a very fast river of mud, rocks, and trees. It happens when a lot of water mixes with soil and loose dirt on a hillside. This mix becomes heavy and flows downhill very quickly. Mudslides can be very dangerous because they move so fast and can carry away almost anything in their path.
The Oso Mudslide Event
The Oso mudslide happened very suddenly. It was caused by heavy rains that made the hillside unstable. The ground gave way, and a huge amount of mud and debris rushed down into the valley below. It covered homes and roads in just a few moments.
Impact on the Community
The mudslide had a terrible impact on the people living in the area. Many homes were destroyed, and families lost everything. Rescue workers and volunteers came from all over to help search for survivors and those who were missing. It was a very difficult time for everyone involved.
Images for kids
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This picture from 2009 shows the area where the mudslide happened. The lighter green trees on the left are where the ground was unstable. The mudslide flowed across the river, and all the houses you see were destroyed.
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An aerial view showing how much damage the mudslide caused.
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This map shows the area around the Oso mudslide. The colored parts are older landslides. The red line shows where the mudslide started in 2014. The red cross-hatching is the area covered by mud and debris.
