County hotline is reliable source of info on missing, officials say

ARLINGTON — The only reliable way for Oso-area families to check on missing loved ones is through the county mudslide hotline, 425-388-5088, officials said at a press conference Monday.

Other lists of victims and survivors cropping up online are not verified and are creating confusion for families who are grieving and waiting for news, said John Pennington, the Snohomish County director of emergency management.

County officials on Monday were creating a database of names to work with, including the 108 people who may be missing in connection with the slide.

All those who live along the North Fork Stillaguamish River are urged to register at the Red Cross-run website safeandwell.org so loved ones can check on them there.

People with missing loved ones also can send info to DEMcallcenter@snoco.org. They should provide as much information as possible, including pictures and descriptions of identifying features, such as tattoos.

Many of those with missing loved ones have flocked to an emergency operations center in downtown Arlington, where officials planned at least three more press conferences Monday.

Arlington is the first town along Highway 530 west of the road blocks. The city, with a population of about 18,000, has become a gathering place for friends, family and passersby waiting for news.

Since the slide, people have been parking along Highway 9 in town, trying to get a glimpse of the sunken Stilly downstream from the disaster. Haller Park on the river was expected to reopen late Monday morning.

On Sunday, a trailer was set up to take donations for slide victims outside the Arlington Food Pavilion, which sits on Highway 530 on the north end of town. People shopping for groceries on Sunday said they were exhausted and hoping to get back to their homes. The area was asked to evacuate again on Sunday evening.

The grocery store manager on Monday morning could be heard on her cellphone discussing a special order for water bottles, baby food and diapers.

Donations bought from the store so far included bags and bags of pet food as well, she said. Signs detailing needed donations were pasted to the checkout counters as well.

The Pazzaz Hair Design salon on N. Olympic Avenue downtown had a homemade banner up in its window Monday, saying money from each haircut would be given to victims.

Others gathered at the Blue Bird Cafe, an old-school American diner on Olympic popular with locals and often a place to catch up with talk. Many in town shied away from the police station, where roughly two dozen reporters and TV cameras were posted from media outlets throughout the country. Some expected the slide story to remain top national news for several weeks.

Officials initially had asked for a large number of donations including new clothing and bedding.

People inundated the emergency shelter with donations, overwhelming resources and complicating the efforts to help those displaced, according to the American Red Cross in Snohomish County.

More than 30 people have stayed in Red Cross shelters overnight in Arlington and Darrington.

At this point, what’s most needed is monetary donations, according to the Red Cross.

For more information, visit www.redcross.org/donate.

People also can text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Advice from the Red Cross

  • Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety because no one knows for sure what will happen next. Remember that it’s OK to feel nervous.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
  • Be patient with yourself and others. It’s common to have temporary stress reactions such as anger, frustration and anxiety.
  • This is a time where people should take care of themselves and their families. For example, reach out to others to offer and receive support.
  • Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety.
  • Free counseling is available around-the-clock at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.