Federal officials have awarded $6.6 million to Snohomish County, Washington, to help buy out those whose homes and land were devastated by the Oso mudslide.
The Daily Herald of Everett reports that while that’s not the full $9.4 million the county wanted, it’s a start. County official Heather Kelly says there may be additional money.
Julie and Cory Kuntz own one of the 128 slide-damaged properties and have been stuck paying a mortgage on unbuildable land where their house once stood. They said Wednesday they’re grateful for the buyout news.
The slide killed 43 people and leveled about 40 homes on March 22, 2014.
The county plans to pay the pre-slide assessed value of the property. Participation is voluntary.
Also on Wednesday, the County Council extended by another six months building bans in the immediate slide area and upriver. Those emergency moratoriums will now remain in effect until late December.
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