As the estimated death toll climbs to 24 in the weekend mudslide in Snohomish County, Washington, the search continues as the terrain has stabilized a little more to permit a more through and intense search. TIME reports that more bodies have been spotted and that more than 150 people are still missing.
The Washington Army National Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency have joined local officials in the search, using specially trained dogs and sonar technology to scour the vast affected area, according to the Seattle Times.
The U.S. Navy is also assisting.
The lead photo is an aerial view that shows the deadly mudslide in the Oso area of Snohomish County, as a U.S. Navy crew and three Navy firefighters assist with search and recovery efforts. The slide covered a square mile in a rural community about 55 miles northeast of Seattle. The Navy crew is based on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
Below, federal firefighters assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., comb through debris looking for survivors following the deadly mudslide near Oso, Wash. The Navy station’s search and rescue effort employs three SH-60 Knighthawk helicopters and crew whose primary mission is to recover downed aviators from the base’s Electronic Attack Wing
Photos and captions: U.S. Navy
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.