Tribes in Washington have donated $255,000 to help families affected by a mudslide that has claimed at least 24 lives and has authorities searching for dozens of missing people.

The the Tulalip Tribes donated $150,000, the Stillaguamish Tribe donated $100,000 and the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe donated $5,000 and raised additional funds for the families.

"We share our deep condolences with everyone affected by this tragedy, which is heartfelt throughout our community. We hope this donation will aid people as they grieve and work to rebuild their lives," Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon said, The Everett Herald reported.

The Oso mudslide started on a hillside along the Stillaguamish River. It cut a mile-wide path over homes, cabins and motorists.

The hill has seen prior mudslides and the Tulalip Tribes and Stillaguamish Tribe have long voiced concerns about potential disasters. Reports were submitted to Washington Department of Ecology as far back as 1997.

"We always thought there was a possibility that a catastrophic event could come,” Pat Stevenson, the environmental manager for the Stillaguamish Tribe, told The Seattle Times “We were hoping that wouldn’t happen.”

Get the Story:
Death toll at 24; crews scour debris for any sign of survivors (The Everett Herald 3/26)
A small-town’s embrace: In Darrington, ‘we help people out’ (The Seattle Times 3/26)
State allowed logging on plateau above slope (The Seattle Times 3/26)
Risk of slide ‘unforeseen’? Warnings go back decades (The Seattle Times 3/25)