Mudslide update

The number of people who are unaccounted for following Saturday’s massive mudslide near Oso, Wash. climbed to 176 on Monday evening, according to the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management. Officials emphasized that the number "does not reflect the number of expected causalities or injuries" and would likely decrease. Meanwhile, 14 people are confirmed dead. The roughly one-square-mile slide hit 49 structures, some of them homes. About 100 rescuers continue to comb the debris using helicopters, search dogs and hovercraft. Some ground crews were forced to stand down on Monday after concerns arose about additional slide activity. Mud and debris are still blocking the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River. Upstream flooding behind the dam has damaged at least seven homes. But river water is now flowing through the clogged area, creating a new channel. Washington State Department of Transportation is monitoring downstream bridges that would be threatened if the debris dam breaks. WSDOT says it is no longer concerned about flash flooding. State Route 530 remains closed between mileposts 36 and 39. Governor Jay Inslee's office said it had received assurance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration that the agency would issue a “verbal emergency declaration” which will allow for federal assistance with the response effort.