“Hard to put down thoughts. It was the hardest shelter DRO I ever worked. Every client was grieving, and I got real close to the families. I worked throughout the entire response because I wanted the clients to know someone was there for them.   One of my close friends lost 4 family members in the slide, so on my way home every night I would call her to share what had been shared at the client's briefing.”  

Carol Janssens, Blaine  

I was on DAT duty when I got a call to see if I was available to respond to a mudslide between Darrington and Arlington. Quickly we learned of the magnitude of the disaster, and it was "all hands on deck." I had to find a shelter for the public in Darrington, a public shelter in Stanwood because the Stilly was clogged, and if it suddenly broke loose then a wave of water would flood the Stanwood area, and a shelter in Arlington for the Search and Rescue workers.    

The next day I was told we had already outgrown our EOC, which was at the Red Cross chapter building, and to find a bigger space closer to Arlington. I asked how soon the space was needed; the response was "Yesterday." 

I found what I thought was the perfect EOC (Emergency Operations Center), on 152nd, close to Arlington. The DST team ensured they could connect to satellites from the roof so that they could access the internet and set up a network for the EOC workers. After a day off, I returned to discover the warehouse set up beautifully with tables and chairs, each activity grouped together.  I counted over 100 laptop computers, all networked to each other and to the printer.  It was magical. 

Will McMahan, Everett   

It was around noon when Steve Hatfield received a call from our volunteer deployment team in Spokane, asking to help set up Logistics for a landslide response.  He agreed, was given a short briefing, picked up a rental car, and started driving West.   

“When I arrived at the chapter in Everett, Steve Taylor and I started drawing up plans with others from the chapter and a team was sent out to find a good warehouse/office space.  Day two began with loading ERV's (Emergency Response Vehicles) with supplies and other purchasing items, then setting up operations at the new site. The mood with very somber and any information that we received was followed by ... let's take a break. The reality was bleak. 

One day a call came in for food items to be delivered to Darrington.  We used a 26-foot box truck to make an emergency run to the high school where lunches and dinners were being prepared for the emergency workers on site. We were met by several high schoolers and adults to help unload.  I went inside and could not believe my eyes.  Rows of tables with adults and school-age students working together preparing lunch boxes and bag lunches.  Now, I know why we, 1. Made the emergency run and 2. Needed to bring so much food.  The only noise that was heard was from pots and pans in the kitchen and a few voices from far away outside ... that was it.   

This is one response I will never forget.  When I stopped by one evening to grab a quick bite and go, I had folks approach me with a donation. That was not the first or last time I was asked to accept a donation.  It seemed like every day, when I was out in the community, folks were trying to contribute.  I asked Steve Taylor ... is this normal, and his reply was "that's our community.”  

Steve Hatfield, Centralia  

Roger Drake will never forget what happened on that day, partly because it happened on his birthday. He left his home in Port Angeles to help and quickly took on a role in sheltering. 

“The biggest thing that sticks in my mind is that our shelter hosted a mother who lost several family members in the slide. She almost always had family around her, and we only exchanged a few words. But after she had received the second of her four notifications, her family decided to move her out of the shelter, leaving her momentarily alone in the parking lot. I was passing through and noticed her wavering in my direction. ‘Do you need a hug?’ I asked. She did. In that moment it was my turn to be her support.”

Roger Drake, Port Angeles 

John Baker served as a Red Cross mental health volunteer, working with families who lost family and friends. He remembers listening to a dad who was on the phone at home and suddenly the phone went silent… the mudslide buried his wife and son. 

“What amazed me was the community of Oso and the way they stood forward. The Red Cross shelter had very few residents. Most clients were taken in by neighbors. And the food was prepared by a team of residents. Having served in many shelters across the country this shelter was energy-based and managed well by residents in the community for their neighbors. Red Cross had a presence, but the residents handled most clients shelter, clothing, and food needs. A remarkable display of people practicing community.” 

John Baker, Bellingham 

Liz Schroeder served as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver, providing canteen supplies to crews and the community. An experienced disaster responder, her time in Oso was unlike anything she had done before.

"When remains were found the whistles sounded. All the workers stopped what they were doing and stood still. The recovery team retrieved the remains and a special convoy escorted them away from the area. After the recovery team left everyone then went back to their assigned work. It was very moving. 10 years later it still gives me pause thinking about that ceremony.” 

Liz Schroeder, Winlock 

I will never forget the wonderful people I had the honor to work with in Darrington, they were called the "funeral ladies" whenever there was an event in Darrington whether a funeral or a birthday celebration, they were there to provide enough food for the entire community. I was able to work beside them for the first week, as well as mentor them along the way. I missed working with them when it was my time to step away. 

Sue Hibma, Sedro Woolley 

Elizabeth Sier joined the Red Cross at the end of March 2014. It’s something she had been thinking about for a while, inspired by family members in Florida who were volunteers. Then the Oso landslide happened, and two of the 43 people killed, were people she knew. That was the final push she needed.  

“I was asked to go to a shelter but felt that would be too much too soon. Instead, after mentioning I know Excel, I was asked to go to the DRO headquarters in Marysville. I remember the first time I walked in there. I just stopped and tried to take it all in. There was so much hustle and so many people and equipment moving around like bees in a hive.  

I helped in the planning area one day working on daily reports. It was there I found out that the bodies of the two people I knew from my church, were finally found. They were among the last identified. They had been building their new home a short distance to the east of the main slide. 

I remember the first time I went up to Darrington for a meeting of the long-term recovery planning team. We took the forest service detour and got a real look at the devastation. I had seen photos, but NOTHING impacted me like the real thing. After I got back to the chapter in Everett and was on the way home, I had to pull over and have a good cry for all that devastation and for all the lives lost and families impacted.”  

Elizabeth Sier, Everett  

I’ve been reminding myself of my first deployment as a Disaster Mental Health up to Oso from Seattle. It was a pleasure to serve my Washington State community. It was my first time staying in a co-ed staff shelter, learning from experienced volunteers, and finding my own style within the Red Cross expectations. Since that first deployment, I’ve traveled around the country as well as more opportunities to serve within my home State. And have made some long-term friends who I would see both on deployment and visiting each other in our own homes! 

Diane Burnett, Seattle