Key Takeaways
- Heavy rains in Washington state caused a levee to fail, prompting evacuations in three south Seattle suburbs
- The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, warning of "life-threatening flash-flooding" on the east side of the levee
- The Desimone levee, which was damaged in 2020, is expected to undergo long-term repairs by 2031
- King county crews are installing emergency measures to stabilize the levee and minimize flooding risk
- The Washington national guard has been deployed to assist with the flood response
Introduction to the Floods
The state of Washington has been experiencing severe flooding due to heavy rains, with officials ordering immediate evacuations in three south Seattle suburbs on Monday. The evacuation order from King County covered homes and businesses east of the Green River in parts of Kent, Auburn, and Tukwila. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning, which covered nearly 47,000 people, warning that the failure of the Desimone levee could lead to "life-threatening flash-flooding" on the east side of the levee.
The Desimone Levee Breach
The Desimone levee, located about 5 miles south of downtown Seattle, breached following a week of record-level flood waters that triggered widespread evacuations. The levee was significantly damaged from flooding back in 2020, and long-term repairs are not anticipated to be completed until 2031. The breach was caused by a week of heavy rains, which triggered widespread flooding and evacuations. King County crews are installing an emergency measure to help stabilize the levee and minimize flooding risk for the community, which will remain in place until the long-term repairs are complete.
Emergency Response Efforts
King County’s director of emergency management, Brendan McCluskey, told the Seattle Times that the repairs could take several hours, and that officials were closely monitoring the Desimone levee. A car-sized chunk of the levee was washed away by flood water, and images showed workers using heavy equipment to drop large sandbags into the hole, working to keep it from growing. The Washington National Guard said that it was sending troops to King County to assist with the flood response. The Guard has already been helping flood-affected residents in the western part of the state over the weekend.
Atmospheric Rivers and Climate Change
An extraordinarily strong system known as an atmospheric river dropped more than a foot of rain, flooding rivers that stretch across the state toward Canada to dangerous levels. Atmospheric rivers are large systems that transport water vapor from the tropics and are essential to the world’s annual water supplies. While not uncommon in the Pacific Northwest, these severe water events can lead to dangerous floods and mudslides, as is currently the case. Researchers have seen water vapor increasingly transported to the west coast over the past 70 years, according to studies conducted by the US Geological Survey. This increase in water vapor has been directly associated with the warming of the ocean’s surface linked to climate change.
Rescue Efforts
In Sumas, Washington, the US Coast Guard deployed two helicopter crews to rescue people from their homes where the water had already risen to the second floor, effectively trapping them. The rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities working to evacuate those in danger and provide assistance to those affected by the floods. The situation is being closely monitored, with officials warning of the potential for further flooding and mudslides. The impact of the floods is being felt across the state, with many communities affected by the severe weather.
Conclusion
The flooding in Washington state is a serious situation, with many communities affected by the severe weather. The breach of the Desimone levee has prompted evacuations and emergency response efforts, with officials working to stabilize the levee and minimize flooding risk. The situation is being closely monitored, with authorities warning of the potential for further flooding and mudslides. The impact of climate change on the frequency and severity of atmospheric rivers is a concern, with researchers warning of the potential for more frequent and severe flooding events in the future.
