This aerial photo, taken after Saturday’s landslide, shows part of the plateau that has been logged over the decades. Right above where the hill fell away is a 7½-acre patch, shaped like a triangle, that was clear-cut about nine years ago. (Photo from The Associated Press).
Risks known
Several years ago this same hill slid, and altered the course of the river. The Army Corps of Engineers did a lot of work on the site, but they knew it was unstable [“Risk of slide ‘unforeseen’? Warnings go back decades,” Local News, March 24].
My daughter lived on Steelhead Drive, and I tried to convince her it wasn’t a good place to live. She and her neighbors liked it there, and now they’re gone. Perhaps more could have been done to relocate them. Not sure they would have listened, but we allow too many homes to be built in slide areas.
I’m heartbroken.
Pete Bellomo, Bellevue
Editor’s note: Pete Bellomo’s daughter has been confirmed missing, according to news reports.
Effects of logging
Robin Youngblood, whose home was destroyed in the mudslide in Snohomish County, said on CBC’s “As It Happens”’ Monday night: “There was clear cutting up there. … There was nothing left to hold the mountain in place.” [“State allowed logging on plateau above slope,” Local News, March 25].
You won’t hear that side of the story on some media, which call this a “tragic natural disaster.” There wasn’t anything natural about it.
If we don’t start talking about clear cutting in Washington state, if the media and politicians keep catering to the timber companies, more families and communities will be devastated.
Please, protect Washington from clear cutting.
Fred LaMotte, Steilacoom