Key Takeaways
- A levee breach has occurred on the Green River, east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, due to heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river.
- The breach has prompted evacuation warnings for over 30,000 people in the surrounding areas, including Tukwila, Kent, and Renton.
- A flash flood warning has been issued for over 45,000 people in the affected area.
- The region is expected to experience additional rainfall and strong winds from two more atmospheric rivers, potentially exacerbating flooding and landslide threats.
- The state is still recovering from historic flooding caused by a previous atmospheric river, which sent rivers to record-breaking levels.
Introduction to the Levee Breach
A levee breach has occurred on the rising Green River, just east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in western Washington, as another atmospheric river dumps rain over the Pacific Northwest. The Desimone levee, which is designed to reduce flood risks to over 30,000 people in Tukwila, Kent, and Renton, breached near the city of Tukwila around noon local time on Monday. The breach has prompted evacuation warnings for people in the surrounding areas, with the King County Office of Emergency Management urging the public to avoid the area and for those in the area to evacuate.
Emergency Response and Preparations
A flash flood warning was issued for over 45,000 people in the affected area, highlighting the severity of the situation. In an effort to mitigate the damage, crews had installed an "emergency flood fighting measure" called a seepage blanket to help stabilize the levee last week, according to the King County Department of Natural Resources. However, the levee breach has still occurred, and the situation remains critical. The Green River near Tukwila has risen about 15 feet over the past week due to multiple rounds of torrential rainfall from an earlier atmospheric river, and when the levee breached, the river’s water level was just under 22 feet – higher than it’s been in the past 60 years.
Regional Flooding and Storms
The state is still recovering from historic flooding across its western reaches after heavy rain from the first atmospheric river sent rivers to record-breaking levels last week. The current storm is drenching parts of Washington, Oregon, and far northwestern California, with rivers once again on the rise. Soaking rain in the mountains is also ramping up landslide threats, adding to the region’s woes. The situation is expected to worsen, with a second, colder atmospheric river set to bring periods of additional rain on Tuesday through Wednesday, keeping rivers elevated and slowing recovery from last week’s flooding. This will also usher in stronger winds that could down trees and power lines, further exacerbating the situation.
Future Storms and Recovery
A third storm is likely to hit the region on Thursday, with details still coming into focus, but even more rain, wind, and high elevation snow is possible through the end of the week. The repeated storms will continue to pose a significant challenge to the region’s recovery efforts, and it is essential for residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation warnings and other instructions from authorities. The situation is dynamic, and it is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments and updates from local authorities and weather services. As the region struggles to cope with the aftermath of the levee breach and the ongoing storms, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and challenging.
Conclusion and Ongoing Developments
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The situation in the Pacific Northwest remains critical, with the levee breach and ongoing storms posing a significant threat to the region. It is essential to prioritize the safety of residents and to take all necessary precautions to minimize the impact of the flooding and storms. As the region navigates this challenging situation, it is crucial to stay informed and to follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure public safety. The key takeaways from this situation highlight the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and the need for ongoing vigilance in the face of repeated storms and flooding.
