03.21.24

Cantwell Statement on 10-Year Anniversary of Oso Landslide Tragedy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friday, March 22, marks a decade since a landslide killed 43 people and destroyed dozens of homes in Oso, WA. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement:

“On the anniversary of the Oso landslide, we honor the 43 people whose lives were suddenly and tragically cut short 10 years ago today. We also renew our gratitude to the first responders -- those who searched for and comforted survivors, and those who restored services to areas cut off by the landslide. Being there in the aftermath with the community is something I will never forget. This is a disaster we never want to see repeated, which is why I worked with Rep. DelBene to pass a law that improves our ability to recognize and prepare for catastrophic landslide risks, and am now working with Senator Murkowski to renew and expand that program.”

Last month, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in introducing a bill to reauthorize and expand the National Landslide Preparedness Act for 10 years, through Fiscal Year 2034. This bipartisan legislation aims to help save lives and improve natural disaster emergency preparedness by targeting key gaps in science and mapping critical to understanding landslide hazards. Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01) first introduced the National Landslide Preparedness Act in November 2020, and it was signed into law in January 2021.

The National Landslide Preparedness Act expanded early warning systems for post-wildfire landslides, created a new federal program focused specifically on landslide hazards through the United States Geological Survey (USGS), directed the USGS to develop new landslide risk maps, and authorized new grant programs for research, mapping, and data collection programs.