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Washington Levee Fails, Flooding Threatens Thousands
16 Dec
Summary
- A levee failure near Seattle prompted evacuation orders for over 46,000 people.
- Life-threatening flash floods hit the area south of Seattle on Monday.
- The Green River Levee breach caused urgent evacuation notices in Tukwila, Kent, and Renton.
A critical failure of the Green River Levee just before noon on Monday has led to life-threatening flash floods and prompted the evacuation of over 46,000 people in areas approximately 15 miles south of Seattle. The breach occurred near Todd Boulevard in Tukwila, with waters expected to move north towards I-405.
Emergency management officials issued an urgent "GO NOW" evacuation notice for residents and businesses east of the Green River, specifically in the Orillia area of Tukwila, Renton, and Kent. They were instructed to move to higher ground immediately, as dangerous conditions could impede escape routes and access roads might be lost.
The flash flood warning was slated to remain active until 9 p.m. local time. Authorities emphasized the extreme danger, urging people not to drive or walk through moving water and to turn around rather than attempt to cross flooded areas. Additional rainfall is anticipated this week, potentially causing further river crests.
