Landslide Deaths Jump to 24

The first victim of Saturday’s terrible landslide in Washington state has been identified. Christina A. Jefferds, 45, was at home watching her granddaughter when the landslide crashed through; she died of “blunt impact” injuries. The family says they are still looking for the 4-month-old granddaughter. The death toll from Saturday’s landslide is now up to 24—the number of missing has been dropped to 90 after running as high as 220 at one point. Still, five days after the mudslide, hope is fading for the families of the missing. The state’s geologist, Dave Norman, said the area affected by the landslide was roughly 4,400 feet across and up to 40 feet deep in some spots. The conditions are also particularly difficult for rescue operations, as the soil has clay and silt that turns into solid-like cement when it dries.