The death toll from the mudslide in the US state of Washington rose to 29 Wednesday, as President Barack Obama issued a federal disaster declaration to help the obliterated town of Oso recover from the catastrophe.
The declaration makes federal funds available for people affected when the side of 1.5-kilometre long mountain gave way above the town 100 kms north-east of Seattle 10 days ago. The landslide followed a record-breaking month of rains in Washington state.
Crew are still far from examining the massive debris field covering over 2.5 square km. The slide also dammed a river and covered a state highway with more than 7 metres of mud.
A rare day of dry weather helped rescuers navigate through the morass on Wednesday. But heavy rains are due to return on Thursday to once again hamper the recovery effort.
Rescuers recovered one body on Wednesday to bring the official count to 29 fatalities. The number of missing dropped from 22 to 20 the Snohomish County medical examiners said.
No survivors have been located in the huge debris field since the immediate aftermath of the March 22 disaster.