Key Takeaways
- Two landslides have triggered evacuation warnings for some neighborhoods in Concrete, Washington
- A second atmospheric river is expected to hit the region, bringing more rain and increasing the risk of landslides and flooding
- The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Skagit County through Thursday afternoon
- Residents are being urged to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for high river levels, landslides, and power outages
- The Army Corps of Engineers is working to manage water flow from local reservoirs, but officials acknowledge there are limits to what can be controlled
Introduction to the Crisis
The small town of Concrete, Washington is bracing for another weather crisis as a second atmospheric river hits the region. Two landslides have already threatened homes, and two earthquakes shook the region, prompting town officials to issue Level 3 evacuation orders for those living in the Eriksen Road neighborhood. The situation is dire, with more rain in the forecast and saturated soils from recent flooding creating ideal conditions for landslides, falling trees, and power outages.
The Impact on Residents
For residents like Monett Bauer, who has lived in Concrete for 30 years, the situation is particularly concerning. She packed her car with Christmas presents and important paperwork, just in case she needs to evacuate quickly. The first landslide was discovered on December 10, and a second landslide was found on December 14, stopping just short of her property. Bauer recalls the rumbling and snapping sounds of the landslide, saying "When we heard it, I thought, when is it going to hit my house?" The uncertainty and unpredictability of the situation are taking a toll on residents, who are struggling to prepare for the worst.
The Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Skagit County through Thursday afternoon, with a Flood Warning already in place for the Skagit River in both Concrete and Mount Vernon. Strong winds are expected through Wednesday morning, and river forecasts are dire. The Skagit River in Concrete is predicted to crest at 32.8 feet early Tuesday morning, then peak again Wednesday afternoon at 33.32 feet, both well above the major flooding threshold of 32.5 feet. In Mount Vernon, the river is expected to crest at 32.81 feet Tuesday evening and again at 32.89 feet Thursday morning. The uncontrolled rivers and streams, such as the Sauk River, contributed to the severity of recent flooding and remain a wild card.
The Response Efforts
The Army Corps of Engineers is working to manage water flow from Ross Dam and Upper Baker Dam, but officials acknowledge there are limits to what can be controlled. "We are using available storage space in these reservoirs to reduce the peak flow level downstream as much as possible," said Kyle Comanor, senior water manager for the Seattle District’s Western Washington division. "However, residents should be prepared for high river levels to return as the next atmospheric river hits our region." The Corps will continue regulating flows throughout the week, attempting to spread the volume of water over time. For Concrete, every foot of river rise can mean the difference between a flooded basement and a destroyed home.
The Human Cost
For residents like Monett Bauer, the stakes are high. She has lived in her home for 30 years, paid off the mortgage, and considered it the culmination of a lifetime of work. She says her homeowner’s insurance does not cover landslides or flooding, leaving her vulnerable to financial ruin. "This is what I worked hard to pay off," Bauer said. "I’ve paid my house off. We own it." The uncertainty and unpredictability of the situation are taking a toll on residents, who are struggling to prepare for the worst. As the town waits with generators humming, bags packed, and eyes fixed on the rising river, the human cost of this crisis is becoming increasingly clear.
Conclusion
The situation in Concrete, Washington is dire, with two landslides, two earthquakes, and more rain in the forecast. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch, and the Army Corps of Engineers is working to manage water flow from local reservoirs. However, officials acknowledge there are limits to what can be controlled, and residents are being urged to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for high river levels, landslides, and power outages. As the town waits with bated breath, the uncertainty and unpredictability of the situation are taking a toll on residents, who are struggling to prepare for the worst.