Experts pull prediction for looming Rattlesnake Ridge slide

SEATTLE – The Department of Natural Resources says it’s no longer predicting when a landslide event at Rattlesnake Ridge could occur.

KING-TV reported Monday that geologists previously thought the slide would happen between January and early March, but have pulled that prediction.

A massive crack along Rattlesnake Ridge near Union Gap in Yakima County emerged in October.

Yakima County, the city of Union Gap, and the city of Yakima have all declared disaster in response to the slide.

Department spokesman Joe Smiley said the slide slowed back down to a rate of 1.6 feet per week after previously speeding up by about a tenth of a foot per week.