Check the small print below the main photo at the link I posted, there is a ‘photos’ link.
#’s 5, 7, 11, 16, 20, 22 are the ones to zero in on. #22 gives an great ‘in context’ view - it’s a huge slide - looks to be a good quarter of the hill. I did a quick check of the earthquake maps and nothing to write home about, mostly 1’s. I do know they’ve received a lot of rain in the past month or so, but is that enough to bring down an entire hillside?
I think the main problem now, besides destroyed homes and missing people, is the tons of debris blocking the river. They’re preparing for one of two things to happen tonite - either the river tries to go around the debris dam, undercutting the hill, or the debris dam won’t hold the river and will burst, and they get a wall of water flooding downstream - neither of which are good. I’m sure it will be a long night for locals.
Yes - the water is enough, and is the main reason these things slide. Another factor is recent modifications to the landscape. (Well, “recent” in geologic terms.) Like the road. I don’t know, but it may have been cut into the hillside years ago and weakening it. Logging can also be a factor - but it looks like that hill was full of trees - now mixed in with the debris.
They said on the news at 10:30pm that they are still searching as they hear voices in the debris - perhaps children. So sad. Prayers of guidance and strength.