Scene cleared after bomb threat prompts evacuations, lockdowns in Leavenworth

A bomb threat reported in Leavenworth turned out to be a false alarm, but the call caused major disruptions and treacherous travel for responding crews. 

Chelan County Emergency Management reported the bomb threat around 9 p.m. Undersheriff Jason Matthews says RiverCom dispatchers received a tip from an unidentified man about a reported explosive device inside a garbage can at the 800 block of Front St. in downtown Leavenworth.

Local authorities ordered an evacuation of the area and a lockdown at Cascade Medical Center.

Bomb techs with Washington State Patrol were called to respond, but it took more than 2 hours to get there traveling through severe winter weather in the mountains. U.S. 2 was closed while crews investigated. 

The area was eventually cleared and no bomb was found.