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Regional Journalism

Rattlesnake Ridge Landslide

Rattlesnake Ridge Landslide

Credit Washington Department of Natural Resources
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Washington Department of Natural Resources
In early October 2017, large cracks were spotted on the ground at Rattlesnake Ridge, a hillside about three miles south of Yakima, Washington. By January, the cracks had widened and emergency officials became concerned that a major landslide could imminent.

Around 50 residents who lived on a small tract of land at the bottom of the hillside were evacuated and officials prepared for the worst.

By the end of the month, geologists and engineers concluded that the landslide was a slow moving one and the risk of a major, catastrophic slide was low. Warning signs were taken down and residents were allowed to return to their homes.