Just after 4 a.m. today, a major landslide hit Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington in the Puget Sound. So far only one house has been damaged, but many more are being threatened if the landslide should continue.
The landslide took place in the tiny town of Coupeville, where there is a mixture of primary, secondary, and vacation homes in the area. No one was hurt in the slide, but it did claim about 500 yards of the hillside, which crumbled 600 yards down to see level and obstructed a road that wound its way around the coast.
"The road's been cut off, the power's been cut off and the water's been cut off to the homes on the beach," said Island County Sheriff Mark Brown.
At around 4:15 a.m. today, residents reported what sounded like thunder coming from the hillside. When they woke up this morning, many could be seen peering over the edge at what used to be their lovely little cliff.
"It's just a jumble of trees and dirt and all sorts of shrubs and things," observed one resident.
In total, it is reported that up to 33 homes could still be in danger of plunging into the water. Authorities are currently evacuating all residents to a nearby community center that will serve as a relief center for those displaced.
"It's possible more homes could be lost. We're trying to ensure the safety and awareness of people," Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Hartin said. "There's not anything we can do to stop the movement of the ground."
This is the second landslide in as many months for Whidbey Island. Experts are not yet sure what caused this latest natural disaster. There has not been rain for several days in the area, and so a mudslide is out of the question.
At least one resident, however, is completely unfazed by the recent events.
"It's what happens when you live on the edge," quips Dick Caldwell, who's lived here for 26 year and says there's nowhere else he'd rather be.
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