More rain on the way; landslide threat persists
Dec 10, 2015, 5:25 AM | Updated: May 13, 2016, 10:34 pm
The threat of landslides will remain for several days as forecasts predict more rain in Western Washington. I-5 near Woodland, Wash. remains closed after a landslide. (WSDOT image)
(WSDOT image)
The threat of landslides and flooding remains as forecasts predict more rain for Western Washington.
The massive landslide blocked northbound Wednesday afternoon after a hillside of rocks and dirt collapsed on the roadway after days of pounding rain. Crews were able to reopen two lanes Thursday evening and transportation officials estimate all lanes will be reopened by Sunday evening.
Though rainfall won’t be as heavy as it was earlier this week, the National Weather Service predicts additional rain in the region for the next three days.
A flood warning continues for several rivers, including: Cowlitz River at Randle affecting Lewis County, Chehalis River near Grand Mound affecting Thurston County, Chehalis River at Porter affecting Grays Harbor County, Skookumchuck River near Bucoda affecting Thurston County, and Chehalis River at Centralia affecting Lewis County.
The National Weather Service in Seattle said Wednesday night that the 5.96 inches of rain recorded at Sea-Tac this month makes it the wettest first nine days in December on record.
The added moisture to soil will make it increasingly unstable and keep the threat of landslides elevated, according to the weather service. Several landslides have been reported after the last storm blew in Tuesday.
Check WSDOT’s complete list of road closures
Showers will continue Thursday night.
The next storm adds to the severe weather that has contributed to the destruction of several homes, forcing Washington Governor Jay Inslee to declare a state of emergency.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
