Feds Will Pay Out Another $2 Million for Oso Landslide Property Damage

EVERETT (AP) — Snohomish County has received an additional $2 million from the federal government to help buy out properties devastated in the Oso landslide.

Thursday's award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency adds to $5.9 million that FEMA already gave the county this year.

County official Heather Kelly says about 100 parcels, roughly a square mile, were destroyed or damaged in the landslide or are at risk of flooding.

She says the county has sent buyout offers to property owners who have completed FEMA applications. Participation in the buyout program is voluntary.

The county plans to set the land aside as open space to help reduce flooding damage.

The March 22, 2014, slide covered a mile-square area in debris and killed 43 people.