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After Deadly Mudslide, Cries Echo: 'The House Is Gone, My Mom's Gone'

OSO, Wash.—Doug Massingale was home from work on the first bright Saturday afternoon in a month of hard rain when his 26-year-old daughter called. She was a waitress on maternity leave, living with her 4-month-old daughter "Snowy" and her mother, Mr. Massingale's ex-wife.

"She said, 'The house is gone, my mom's gone. Snowy's in the house and the whole house is gone!' " the diesel mechanic recalled.