Landslides, flooding persist across Puget Sound region
Feb 6, 2020, 9:45 AM | Updated: 3:38 pm
Flooding in the south end of the Puget Sound region. (WSDOT)
(WSDOT)
Rain has had parts of Issaquah, May Valley, and more dealing with flooding and landslides for the better part of Thursday. The wet conditions are projected to continue into Friday morning. The National Weather Service reminds drivers to obey road closure signs and barricades at all times and to never drive into flood waters.
In a tweet from Thurston County Sheriff on Thursday morning, it was reported that Tacoma Power will be increasing the water flow from the LaGrande Dam, urging residents in the area to evacuate by 4 p.m.
Tacoma Power advises they will be increasing the water flow from the LaGrande Dam to 17,000 cubic ft. per second by 1:00 p.m. today, continuing through Friday. Residents living near Nisqually Delta, Durgin Road, Kuhlman Road, and Nisqually Cut-Off Road are urged to evacuate.
— Thurston Co. Sheriff (@ThurstonSheriff) February 6, 2020
Level 3 evacuation advisement notices are being handed out to residents. For those in the evacuation area, American Red Cross is opening an evacuation shelter at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Gwinwood Camp and Christian Conference Center in Lacey. Red Cross will assess the need for additional shelters in the coming days.
Issaquah-Hobart/May Valley Road has been hit especially hard, with rock and soil “spilling from the hillside.”
“The water has nowhere else to go,” said King County Road Services.
Much easier to see in light of day. Here's Issaquah-Hobart Rd @ May Valley. Rock and soil spilling from hillside crammed the culvert full of debris. The water has nowhere else to go. We built a berm to help direct water to creek so it wouldn't damage the road or flood homes #wawx pic.twitter.com/9n7xpiUHJZ
— KC Road Services (@kcroads) February 6, 2020
Flooding of the Issaquah Creek has also had cars in Issaquah almost fully submerged in water, with a handful of roads closing as a result. You can see a full list of closures here, and severe weather alerts here.
A good look at some of the flooding on Issaquah Creek. Water is deep and moving very swiftly. DO NOT ATTEMPT to walk or drive through flood waters. If someone has to rescue you, you also put the lives of first responders in jeopardy. #wawx https://t.co/2ntB9JLVMB
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) February 6, 2020
The National Weather Service notes “there IS relief in sight” for this recent run of rainy weather, but that it won’t come until later in the weekend.
Rain is currently in the forecast through Saturday, with strong winds “increasing Friday into Saturday night” along the coast and the Strait. Tree damage and power outages are possible this weekend.
Flooding and winter weather conditions led to an emergency proclamation issued by Gov. Jay Inslee for 19 Washington counties Wednesday. The list of counties includes: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom.
Inslee cited damage to roadways resulting in road closures that have limited access to and complicated the response and recovery efforts of emergency responders, businesses, and utilities.
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