Flash floods in Pullman trap people along North Grand Avenue
Apr 10, 2019, 6:54 AM | Updated: 10:01 am
(KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
Evacuations were ongoing Tuesday night in Pullman as flash flooding left people trapped downtown.
The flooding occurred when the south fork of the Palouse River overflowed, sending water rushing down North Grand Avenue.
Pullman Fire said the fast-moving water trapped a number of people in businesses there. It took a firefighter riding on a bulldozer to rescue one man who was trapped.
According to WSU’s Matt Haugen, many people tried to drive past traffic cones through the flooding, despite warnings to stay away.
South Fork of the Palouse River running high this morning. Flood barriers up around downtown as well. #pullman #wawx pic.twitter.com/vxMs6G2hJ3
— Matt Haugen WSUNews (@MattWSUNews) April 10, 2019
Damage next to State Street #pullman #wawx pic.twitter.com/R40njzFFp4
— Matt Haugen WSUNews (@MattWSUNews) April 10, 2019
Flooded path by @City_of_Pullman skate park #pullman #wawx pic.twitter.com/OX5XtJhWym
— Matt Haugen WSUNews (@MattWSUNews) April 10, 2019
Water levels have dropped a bunch. Looks like water was covering the walking path under the SR 270/Main Street Bridge last night. #pullman #wawx pic.twitter.com/nOTxxAEZb8
— Matt Haugen WSUNews (@MattWSUNews) April 10, 2019
YIKES! Look at what happened here! So many damaged cars and businesses. It’s going to be a tough day for many in Pullman @kxly4news pic.twitter.com/wI9i8NHWre
— Caroline Flynn (@CarolineF_KXLY) April 10, 2019
Just spoke with the owner of this car, currently lodged in the office building. Her car is destroyed inside and she took a risk opening the door to grab her Bible and wallet. Completely saturated by mud.@kxly4news pic.twitter.com/dzmt4kF04j
— Caroline Flynn (@CarolineF_KXLY) April 10, 2019
Grand Avenue was back open Wednesday morning, according to KHQ, and Palouse River waters have receded.
KREM meteorologist Thomas Patrick says there’s likely to be a break for most of Wednesday, but more showers are expected Thursday, and again through the weekend.
The rain that caused the flooded was the accumulation of roughly two and a half inches spread out over the course of a week, with Pullman seeing record rainfall during that period.
“On a day-to-day standard, it’s not all that extreme — it’s just added up to that point,” Patrick told KIRO Radio.
KIRO Radio staff contributed to this report
