Oso, Wash. — While President Barrack Obama has been sending federal help to victims of the deadly Oso landslide, he will soon get to see the enormity of the tragedy for himself. On April 22, he will come to honor the dead and to reassure those trying to reclaim their lives. If this unfolds like other presidential visits, Obama will likely get an aerial view of the deadly mudslide. And on behalf of the nation, he’ll comfort survivors of the disaster and the families of those who were killed.
“I think he should have come a little sooner, but I think it's great that he's coming to show the support,” said Nicole Tipple of Arlington
When a superstorm struck the Jersey Shore in October 2012, the president was there just three days later. When a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, Mr. Obama was on the ground six days later. And he got there just a week after a firestorm raced through the Colorado Springs area.
Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin said a presidential visit right after the slide would have been a burden.
“The president coming at that time would have probably slowed recovery efforts at that time,” Rankin said. “The focus would have been on the president. The work being done on the ground may have been impacted by that visit.”
Rankin will ask the president for a long-term commitment to "make the resources available, make the decisions necessary.”
“It's really been a true collaboration and truly inspiring,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene from Washington, D.C. “I'm glad he's coming out to see that, to meet with folks and see the incredible devastation that's taken place.”
Obama was in Europe dealing with the Ukraine situation when the slide happened, but he did sign the necessary emergency declarations quickly.
KIRO
