Originally published March 23, 2014 at 2:32 PM | Page modified March 24, 2014 at 9:53 AM 
 
 With many people still missing and hundreds waiting to hear about the fate of loved ones in a mile-wide mudslide, officials said rescuers have not heard any voices from the slide area since Saturday night. 
 
 Use an interactive tool to see the landslide’s deadly path. 
 
 Interactive map: A detailed view of the neighborhood hit by the landslide 
 
 Read about the lives of the victims. 
 
 Use an interactive to see how, even as warnings mounted, homes kept being built in slide-prone Steelhead Haven. 
 
 A collection of stories and visuals about the disaster, why it may have happened and the people it affected. 
 
 ARLINGTON — Hopes dimmed Sunday for finding survivors in the nearly one square mile of muck and debris left by a mudslide that killed at least eight people and demolished dozens of houses. 
 
 Officials confirmed eight dead during a community meeting Sunday night in Darrington. Just a few hours earlier, the death toll had stood at four. 
 
 Tod Gates, an incident commander, said that as he and other rescuers flew in a helicopter to the Darrington meeting, they spotted the four additional bodies. The dead were not identified Sunday night. 
 
 In a news conference Monday morning, emergency officials said they were working off a “soft list” of 108 people who are unaccounted for, though they said the number of actual victims will likely be much lower. 
 
 Darkness and shifting debris forced rescuers Saturday night to abandon efforts to reach voices coming from a buried structure. 
 
 By Sunday, they heard no more voices. 
 
 “We didn’t see or hear any signs of life out there today,” said Travis Hots, chief of Snohomish County Fire Districts 21 and 22, during a Sunday afternoon news conference. 
 
 Casualties are likely to rise as the search continues through the wreckage that is all that remains of neighborhoods along the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River. In addition to destroying 30 or more homes, the slide buried a milelong stretch of Highway 530 under 20 feet or more of mud. 
 
 Gov. Jay Inslee warned of grim days ahead during a news conference at Arlington City Hall. “I have a sense we are going to have some hard news here,” he said. 
 
 The rain-soaked hillside that slid away Saturday morning was the same one that had partially collapsed in 2006. The area is about 16 miles east of Arlington. 
 
 With no positive news forthcoming, relatives of the missing crowded into the Darrington Community Center looking for answers. 
 
 Relatives handed photos of missing loved ones to rescue personnel in hopes they might turn up unconscious at a hospital. 
 
 Those reportedly missing ranged from Oso-area homeowners to repairmen on work assignments and a group of girls at a slumber party. 
 
 Ron Thompson, whose home was destroyed, stopped by the evacuation shelter at Post Middle School in Arlington to find out if his friends turned up alive. “We lost a lot of good kids. I don’t know what else to tell you. It hurts,” he said before driving away. 
 
 A 4-month-old baby and her grandmother were also among the missing. 
 
 The baby, Sanoah Huestis, lived with her grandparents, Christina and Seth Jefferds. Seth Jefferds, a volunteer firefighter, was not home at the time of the slide and arrived to find his house flattened and his wife and granddaughter missing, said his brother-in-law, Dale Petersen. 
 
 “He said it was just like a bulldozer ran over the house,’’ Petersen said. 
 
 Although the names of the people killed in the slide were not officially released, one is former Darrington librarian and School Board member Linda McPherson, 69, according to Pete Selvig, a member of the Darrington emergency-response team and a retired U.S. Forest Service employee. 
 
 McPherson’s husband, Gary “Mac” McPherson, was also injured. His condition was not immediately known. 
 
 The couple’s house and that of their niece and nephew next door were both destroyed, Selvig said. The younger couple were not at home, but their dog was trapped in the debris, he said. 
 
 Rescuers tried to get to the dog after hearing whimpering Saturday night, but had to give up because the mud and debris were moving, Selvig said. 
 
 McPherson was branch manager of the Darrington library and served for about 15 years on the School Board, said Selvig, who served with her. 
 
 He said her approach to the business and challenges of the small rural school district was professional and methodical. She was part of a Darrington contingent that lobbied the state Legislature for funding to rebuild the district’s three aging schools. “Her name is on the plaque on the new elementary,” Selvig said. 
 
 Seven people injured in the slide were being treated at area hospitals Sunday. 
 
 At Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a 6-month-old baby boy and an 81-year-old man were in critical condition in the intensive-care unit. A 37-year-old man and a 58-year-old man were in serious condition. A 25-year-old woman was in satisfactory condition. 
 
 At Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington, one woman was in satisfactory condition. Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon reported that a 68-year-old man was in stable condition. 
 
 Witnesses described a frantic scene when the slide hit Saturday morning. 
 
 Neighbors rushed to retrieve a mud-covered baby within moments, said an Arlington woman who was driving by when the catastrophe occurred. 
 
 “We thought it was a car accident,” said Sierra Sansaver, of Arlington, who said she was driving to Darrington to find the road was blocked by mud. “Then you realize there’s a house in the middle of the road.” 
 
 “We heard screaming from a house 100 yards from us. A whole bunch of men went in there and pulled out a 6-month-old baby,” Sansaver said. Firefighters also were arriving, she said. 
 
 “There was mud, household items everywhere, people screaming, crying, running into the rubbish.” 
 
 “Everybody was covered in mud. A lady next door who saw what happened, she was giving them blankets to hold the baby in. They got in a car, and left,” said Sansaver. 
 
 The infant at Harborview matched that scenario. 
 
 In Darrington, a search-and-rescue team of about 20 people was advised Sunday morning to mark dead bodies if they saw any and keep looking for survivors. 
 
 Some workers emerged from the meeting bleary-eyed and dispirited. 
 
 One volunteer firefighter who had stopped working around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night said many tragic stories have yet to be told. He watched one rescuer find his own front door, but nothing else — not his home, his wife or his child. 
 
 They’re in the “missing” category along with many it is feared will eventually be listed as dead. 
 
 “It’s much worse than everyone’s been saying,” said the firefighter, who did not want to be named. “The slide is about a mile wide. Entire neighborhoods are just gone. When the slide hit the river, it was like a tsunami.” 
 
 By noon on Sunday, the dammed-up Stillaguamish River was starting to break through a hole in the mile-wide mud wall near Oso, releasing some flow downstream. But officials said that was not a cause for alarm. 
 
 “It’s not flowing at a rate that causes concern. There is water coming through. They don’t feel it is going to be a catastrophic burst,” said Shari Ireton, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. 
 
 Even if the water breaches the blockage, it is unlikely to cause major flooding downstream, said Brent Bower, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service. 
 
 The forecast for the area near Oso looks dry for most of Monday, said Johnny Burg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. Rain could return Monday night and into Tuesday, but Burg said “we’re not forecasting anything heavy” — maybe a tenth of an inch. 
 
 Through March 19, Arlington had recorded 7.14 inches of rain for the month — just a couple inches short of the wettest March on record. A flash flood warning remained in effect. 
 
 Inslee, who cut short a political trip to Montana to fly back to Washington state, thanked rescuers Sunday, and said he was awed by the destruction he witnessed after flying over the scene. 
 
 “The devastation is just unrelenting and awesome. There is no stick standing in the path of the slide,” Inslee said. “But there is another powerful force of nature, and that is empathy and compassion.” 
 
 Staff reporters Jim Brunner, Lynn Thompson and Nancy Bartley reported from Seattle. Staff reporters Mike Carter, Mike Lindblom, Mike Baker and Christine Clarridge reported from Arlington. Alexa Vaughn reported from Darrington. News researcher Miyoko Wolf also contributed. 
 
 Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @Jim_Brunner 
 
 Want unlimited access to seattletimes.com? Subscribe now! ||||| ARLINGTON, Wash. (AP) — Hopes of finding any more survivors from a massive mudslide that killed at least eight people waned as searchers pulled more bodies from the tangled debris field and crews worked through the night into Monday in rural Washington state. 
 
 A house is seen destroyed in the mud on Highway 530 next to mile marker 37 on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide occurred near mile marker 37 near Oso, Washington. At least six homes... (Associated Press) 
 
 Washington Governor Jay Inslee talks privately with two residents personally affected by the mudslide after a media presser at Arlington City Hall on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide... (Associated Press) 
 
 A house is seen destroyed in the mud on Highway 530 next to mile marker 37 on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide occurred near mile marker 37 near Oso, Washington. At least six homes... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tom Moff with Snohomish County looks down at the Stillaguamish River as it maintains a low but steady flow off of Whitman Road on Highway 530 on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide... (Associated Press) 
 
 A demolished house sits in the mud on Highway 530, Sunday, March 23, 2014 the day after a giant landslide occurred near Oso, Wash. The slide of mud, trees and rocks happened about 11 a.m. Saturday morning.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Washington State Patrol Trooper Hyatt, left, takes down the name of Ben Reneau, an Arlington resident on his way to visit his aunt and uncle who live in Grant Creek, at Highway 530 near Jim Creek Rd.,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a news conference at Arlington City Hall, Sunday, March 23, 2014 the day after a mudslide occurred near Oso, Wash. on Highway 530. Rescue crews searched into the night for... (Associated Press) 
 
 David King, left, on his way to visit a friend who lives a few miles down the road, pulls out his identification to show Washington State Patrol's Trooper Hyatt at Highway 530 next to Jim Creek Road on... (Associated Press) 
 
 After spending the night at a Red Cross shelter, Reed Miller, 75, recounts the loss of his home in Oso, Wash., Sunday, March 23, 2014, at Post Middle School in Arlington, Wash. Miller was grocery shopping... (Associated Press) 
 
 Barbara Welsh, center, a mudslide victim whose husband is still missing, is comforted by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, following a news conference outside of the Arlington Police Department, Sunday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Barbara Welsh, center, a mudslide victim whose husband is still missing, is comforted by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, following a news conference outside of the Arlington Police Department, Sunday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Snohomish County residents listen to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee during a news conference outside of the Arlington Police Department, Sunday, March 23, 2014, in Arlington, Wash. Over a dozen people are... (Associated Press) 
 
 The orange X on a house, destroyed in the mud, indicates it has been searched for people on Highway 530, Sunday, March 23, 2014 the day after a giant landslide occurred near Oso, Wash. Rescue crews searched... (Associated Press) 
 
 Snohomish County residents and media study a map of the mudslide area outside of the Arlington Police Department, Sunday, March 23, 2014, in Arlington, Wash. Over a dozen people are unaccounted for after... (Associated Press) 
 
 The Oso Community Church displays a sign reading "pray with us for our community" in Oso off of Highway 530 on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide occurred near mile marker 37. At... (Associated Press) 
 
 Washington State Patrol Trooper Hyatt takes down the name of a driver as he monitors Highway 530 near Jim Creek Rd., which is closed to everyone but residents and family members, Sunday, March 23, 2014... (Associated Press) 
 
 In this aerial photo taken Saturday, March 23, 2014, a massive mudslide is shown in between the towns of Darrington, Wash., and Arlington, Wash. The slide killed at least three people and many people... (Associated Press) 
 
 Jessica Nemnich, left, and Eric Finzimer, both volunteer firefighters, clean and re-check their equipment as they await instructions in the aftermath of the Highway 530 landslide at the Darrington Distrct... (Associated Press) 
 
 A house is seen destroyed in the mud on Highway 530 next to mile marker 37 on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the day after a giant landslide occurred near mile marker 37 near Oso, Washington. At least six homes... (Associated Press) 
 
 An aerial view shows a huge volume of earth missing from the side of a hill facing Stillaguamish River, in a landslide along State Route 530, between the cities of Arlington and Darrington, on Saturday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Search and rescue teams took to the air in helicopters and the ground on foot on Sunday looking for anyone who might still be alive. Their spirits had been raised late Saturday night when they heard voices calling for help from the flotsam of trees, dirt and wreckage. Dangerous conditions forced them to turn back in the darkness, but they resumed their work at first light Sunday. 
 
 "We didn't see or hear any signs of life out there today," Snohomish County Fire District 21 Chief Travis Hots said. "It's very disappointing to all emergency responders on scene." 
 
 Snohomish County sheriff's Lt. Rob Palmer said four more bodies were discovered late Sunday. Earlier in the day, authorities said one body had been found on the debris field. Three people were already confirmed dead on Saturday. 
 
 More people remained missing, and authorities said the number was "fluid." Earlier Sunday, they said it was at least 18, but that count came before additional bodies were discovered. 
 
 The 1-square-mile slide also critically injured several people - including an infant - and destroyed about 30 homes. 
 
 Crews were able to get to the soupy, tree-strewn area that was 15-feet deep in places Sunday after geologists flew over in a helicopter and determined it was safe enough for emergency responders and technical rescue personnel to search for possible survivors, Hots said 
 
 He added that they did not search the entire debris field, only drier areas safe to traverse. Hots said crews were still in a "search and rescue mode. It has not gone to a recovery mode at this time." 
 
 Searchers planned to continue looking through the night. 
 
 Before crews could get onto the debris field late Sunday morning, they looked for people by helicopter. They had late Saturday heard people yelling for help, but they were unable to reach anyone. The soupy mud was so thick and deep that searchers had to turn back. 
 
 "We have this huge square-mile mudflow that's basically like quicksand," Hots said Sunday. 
 
 The slide wiped through what neighbors described as a former fishing village of small homes — some nearly 100 years old. 
 
 As the search for the missing continued, authorities said some may have been able to get out on their own. The number unaccounted for could change because some people may have been in cars and on roads when the slide hit just before 11 a.m. Saturday. 
 
 Officials described the mudslide as "a big wall of mud and debris." It blocked about a mile of State Route 530 near the town of Oso, about 55 miles north of Seattle. It was reported to be about 15 feet deep in some areas. 
 
 Authorities believe the slide was caused by ground made unstable by recent heavy rainfall. 
 
 Washington Gov. Jay Inslee described the scene as "a square mile of total devastation" after flying over the disaster area midday Sunday. He assured families that everything was being done to find their missing loved ones. 
 
 The slide blocked the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River. With the water pooling behind the debris, authorities worried about downstream flooding and issued an evacuation notice Saturday. The water had begun to seep through the blockage Sunday afternoon, alleviating some concerns. 
 
 Snohomish County officials said Sunday that residents could return home during daylight hours. Even though the evacuation had been lifted, Inslee urged residents to remain alert. 
 
 The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Snohomish County through Monday afternoon. 
 
 Shari Ireton, a spokeswoman for the Snohomish County sheriff's office, said Sunday that a total of eight people were injured in the slide. 
 
 A 6-month-old boy and an 81-year-old man remained in critical condition Sunday morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said two men, ages 37 and 58, were in serious condition, while a 25-year-old woman was upgraded to satisfactory condition. 
 
 Bruce Blacker, who lives just west of the slide, doesn't know the whereabouts of six neighbors. 
 
 "It's a very close knit community," Blacker said as he waited at an Arlington roadblock before troopers let him through. 
 
 Search-and-rescue help came from around the region, including the Washington State Patrol and the Army Corps of Engineers. More than 100 were at the scene. 
 
 Dane Williams, 30, who lives a few miles from the mudslide, spent Saturday night at a Red Cross shelter at the Arlington school. 
 
 He said he saw a few "pretty distraught" people at the shelter who didn't know the fate of loved ones who live in the stricken area. 
 
 "It makes me want to cry," Williams said. 
 
 Hots said searchers would continue their efforts through the difficult debris field. 
 
 "There may be people in their cars, there may be people in houses," he said. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Associated Press writers Phuong Le and Chris Grygiel in Seattle contributed to this report.
– Hopes are fading for people still believed to be trapped under mud and debris after a massive landslide in Washington state. At least eight people have now been confirmed dead from the mudslide that destroyed dozens of houses in a neighborhood along the Stillaguamish River, the Seattle Times reports. At least a dozen people are still missing, but rescue workers say they didn't see or hear any signs of life after working throughout the day. But despite the lack of signs of life in the debris field, the operation is still in "search and rescue mode," a local fire chief says. "It has not gone to a recovery mode at this time." Rescuers had to pull back early yesterday until geologists told them it was safe to return, the AP reports. "We have this huge square-mile mudflow that's basically like quicksand," the fire chief says. At least eight people were injured in the slide Saturday morning, which officials describe as a "a big wall of mud and debris" caused by ground made unstable by recent rainfall.