VOA标准英语2014--Enroute to Asia, Obama Visits Landslide Victims in Western State

 

Enroute to Asia, Obama Visits Landslide¹ Victims in Western State 

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is on a four-nation tour of Asia, visiting Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. On his way to Asia, the president stopped in the northwestern state of Washington to visit an area struck by deadly landslides² last month. The landslides, caused by days of torrential rain, destroyed dozens of homes and killed at least 41 people. During his visit late Tuesday, Obama also met with the victims' families, first responders and recovery workers.

On arrival at a local airport, President Obama was greeted by a group of state and local leaders. Almost immediately, the president boarded a helicopter that flew him over the site of last month's landslides near the town of Oso. After surveying the damage and meeting privately³ with the victims' families, Obama addressed an audience at a local fire station.

"I have to say that the families I met with showed incredible strength and grace through unimaginable pain and difficulty. Uniformly, though, they all want to say thank you to the first responders. They were deeply appreciative⁴ of the efforts that everybody is making.  And I know that the first responders may have heard that directly, but it doesn't hurt to repeat that we are very appreciative of what you've done," said Obama.

The piles of debris⁵ and mud remain high a month after the landslides, despite cleanup efforts by emergency crews and volunteers. But thanks to workers' efforts, water that was almost two meters high in some places has now drained, allowing better access to heavy equipment. Obama praised the coordination⁶ and cooperation among various groups and organizations involved in the recovery effort.

"Today, that work continues. There are still families searching for loved ones. There are families who have lost everything and it's going to be a difficult road ahead for them. And that's why I wanted to come here: just to let you know that the country is thinking of all of you, and have been throughout this tragedy. We are not going anywhere, we'll be here as long as it takes because while very few Americans have heard of Oso before this disaster struck, we've all been inspired by the incredible way that the community has come together and shown the love and support they have for each other in ways large and small," said Obama.

 

The rain-softened hillside gave way on March 22, with heaps of mud and water pouring over roads and homes in a rural area north of the city of Seattle. First responders and volunteers dug through the mud, logs and debris to reach survivors⁷. So far, 41 victims have been found in the disaster area, but at least two other people remain missing. Washington state officials say the cost of the cleanup and recovery is climbing, and is expected to be much higher than the original estimate of $42 million.

1 landslide   

n.(竞选中)压倒多数的选票；一面倒的胜利

参考例句：

• Our candidate is predicated to win by a landslide.我们的候选人被预言将以绝对优势取胜。
• An electoral landslide put the Labour Party into power in 1945.1945年工党以压倒多数的胜利当选执政。

2 landslides   

山崩( landslide的名词复数 )； （山坡、悬崖等的）崩塌； 滑坡； （竞选中）一方选票占压倒性多数

参考例句：

• Landslides have cut off many villages in remote areas. 滑坡使边远地区的许多村庄与外界隔绝。
• The storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona. 风暴致使萨沃纳发生塌方和洪灾。

3 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

4 appreciative   

adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的

参考例句：

• She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
• We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。

5 debris   

n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片

参考例句：

• After the bombing there was a lot of debris everywhere.轰炸之后到处瓦砾成堆。
• Bacteria sticks to food debris in the teeth,causing decay.细菌附着在牙缝中的食物残渣上，导致蛀牙。

6 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

7 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者