In pictures: Rescue and recovery taking its toll in Washington mudslide
Washington officials and rescue staff are showing the emotional strain of searching for bodies and warding off despair
A rescue worker walks through the debris pile from the mudslide in Oso, Washington March 27, 2014. The death toll from a massive Washington state mudslide is expected to climb sharply over the next two days with 90 people still missing, authorities said on Thursday, even as they held out the faint hope of finding at least one more survivor.POOL/Reuters
Searchers work on a massive pile of debris at the scene of a deadly mudslide, Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Oso, Wash. The death toll is expected to rise considerably within the next two days as the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office catches up with the recovery effort, Snohomish County District 21 Fire Chief Travis Hots said Thursday.Mark Mulligan/The Associated Press
A searcher and dog walk past debris and standing water at the scene of a deadly mudslide, Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Oso, Wash. Authorities said the number of fatalities in the mudslide will go up substantially within the next two days. Sixteen bodies have been recovered, but officials say at least nine more had been found as of Wednesday night.Mark Mulligan/The Associated Press
A sign warns of slide danger on a road near the mudslide in Oso, Washington March 27, 2014.RICK WILKING/Reuters
Several Skagit County Firefighters assemble outside the fire station in Darrington, Washington March 27, 2014.JASON REDMOND/Reuters
A worker prepares chainsaw in the back of a truck at the fire station in Darrington, Wash., on Thursday, March 27, 2014.Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press
Snohomish County Sheriff's Dept. public information officer Shari Ireton, middle, turns around in tears as she listens in at a news conference about the recovery of bodies at the scene of a deadly mudslide Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Arlington, Wash. Authorities said the number of fatalities in the mudslide in nearby Oso, Wash., will go up substantially within the next two days.Elaine Thompson/The Associated Press