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SEATTLE - As more heavy rainfall is expected in western Washington this week, the region remains under a Flood Watch, with road closures, evacuations, and power outages persisting.
A Flash Flood Warning was activated and later canceled for parts of south King County after a Green River levee failed. The levee has since been repaired, patched by sandbags after nearby businesses were evacuated.
Desimone Levee breach. (Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor)
Keep reading for live weather updates for Tuesday, Dec. 16.
4:00 p.m.: Thousands lose power in western WA
A wind storm in western Washington knocked out power for thousands Tuesday, with more outages possible as strong gusts continue.
Forecasts warn winds could hit 60 mph in some areas, and a blizzard is expected overnight in the Cascades and Olympics.
It’s unclear when full power will be restored, and officials urge residents to stay away from downed lines and report outages.
3:00 p.m.: Blizzard warning for Cascades, Olympics
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the Washington Cascades and Olympic Mountains starting early Wednesday.
Heavy snow and winds up to 50 mph could create whiteout conditions and dangerous travel.
Forecasters expect up to 20 inches of snow in the Cascades and up to 15 inches in the Olympics.
2:15 p.m.: WildLanterns canceled Tuesday night
WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo will be closed Tuesday night, Dec. 16 because of inclement weather.
According to the zoo, ticket holders will be contacted directly.
1:05 p.m.: US 2 closed for months
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Gov. Ferguson gives update on WA flooding
Gov. Ferguson gives update on WA flooding
During a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson said US 2 will remain closed for months.
Water and debris over the roadway has closed a portion of the highway from Skykomish and Leavenworth (MP 50-99).
There is no estimated timeline for reopening.
12:34 p.m.: NWS issues Blizzard Warning for WA Cascades and Olympic Mountains
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a blizzard warning for the Washington Cascades and Olympic Mountains to take effect Wednesday.
According to the NWS, the blizzard warning will go into effect for both mountain ranges between 2 a.m. and noon. In the Cascades, snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches are possible, accompanied by 25 mph winds. For the Olympics, meteorologists are anticipating possibly 10 to 15 inches at Hurricane Ridge.
The NWS says these weather conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. Strong winds could also cause extensive tree damage.
12:17 p.m.: Green River in flood phase 3
According to a King County Flood Alert, the Green River is in flood phase 3. Moderate flooding is expected in rural lowland areas.
11:15 a.m.: National Guard heading to Pacific
State National Guard members are on their way to the city of Pacific to help fill and move sandbags to help secure a levee breach.
9:20 a.m.: WDFW Police post video of "Operation Rescue Wilson" in Hamilton, WA
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Wilson the bulldog rescued from flooding in Hamilton, WA
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife posted police body camera video of a water evacuation in Hamilton last week. Wilson the bulldog got to ride on a kayak and was carried to safety with his two owners.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife posted police body camera video of a water evacuation in Hamilton last week. Wilson the bulldog got to ride on a kayak and was carried to safety with his two owners.
9:01 a.m.: Gov. Ferguson to give update on flooding response
Governor Ferguson and King County Executive Zahilay will be giving an update on the historic flooding response on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
8:40 a.m.: Washington State Task Force-1 deploys to Skagit County
Washington State Task Force-1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue has been activated by the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, to support Skagit County and assist in search and rescue missions for those impacted by the flooding.
The last time the task force was deployed in non-federal status to support a search and rescue mission in Washington was the Oso landslide in 2014.
8:05 a.m.: Resources available in Pacific, WA
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220 homes under Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations in Pacific, WA
Early Tuesday morning, police in Pacific announced after 1:30 a.m. there was a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order due to a levee break on the White River.
Valley Regional Fire listed several resources on behalf of the city of Pacific:
- Warm location that will be serving coffee and breakfast: Senior Center and the gym at the Pacific Community Center (100 3rd Ave SE)
- Auburn Community and Events Center (910 9th ST SE) is open with Red Cross resources
- The Filipino American Community of Puget Sound in Algona (103 6th Ave N) is also offering a warm location
- Alpac Elementary School (310 Milwaukee Blvd N) parking lot is available in addition to restrooms.
- Sandbags are available at 224 County Line Road
7:42 a.m.: Puget Sound Energy crews make significant progress in restoring power outages in WA
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) crews made great progress overnight after more than 50,000 people in western Washington lost power on Monday. As of 7:42 a.m. on Tuesday, there are only 56 outages impacted 1,343 customers. Snohomish PUD is reporting outages impacting 490 people. Clallam County PUD is reporting 0 outages.
7:40 a.m.: SR 167 remains closed between Kent and Auburn
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'Go Now' evacuation in Auburn
Flooding from the Green River is forcing Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation order in the area between South 277th and north of 42nd, and east of SR-167 and west of Green River.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said both directions of State Route 167 remain closed on Tuesday between South 212th Street in Kent and 15th Avenue West in Auburn due to flooding.
Drivers are advised to take alternate routes and expect delays on I-5 and I-405.
WSDOT's David Rasbach told Good Day Seattle there was still water over the roadway in the area.
State Route 167 remains closed between Kent and Auburn.
7:30 a.m.: Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation in Auburn, WA
There are still evacuation orders in effect in Auburn, Washington. This flooding from the Green River is forcing Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation order in the area between South 277th and north of 42nd, and east of SR-167 and west of Green River.
There are also Level 2 ‘Get Set’ Evacuations in several neighborhoods along both sides of the Green River, including areas near 104th Avenue Southeast, Pike Street Northeast and Pike Place Northeast – south of the Auburn Golf Course. Anyone who lives there should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice if things get worse.
Officials say evacuees seeking shelter can go to the Auburn Community and Event Center and Ray of Hope Shelter in Auburn.
7:24 a.m.: Person dead after driving car onto flooded roadway in Snohomish County
A driver died overnight in Snohomish after reportedly bypassing road closure signs and plunging into a flooded ditch near East Lowell Larimer Road.
7:03 a.m.: Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation in Concrete, WA; School district closed
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Level 3 'Go Now' Evacuation in Concrete, WA; school district closed
There is a Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation order in place for the Erikson Road neighborhood in Concrete, Washington. The town says they found a landslide there last week, and with more rain and wind coming, they are asking people to leave the area.
There is a Level 3 ‘Go Now’ Evacuation order in place for the Erikson Road neighborhood in Concrete, Washington.
The town says they found a landslide there last week, and with more rain and wind coming, they are asking people to leave the area.There is also an upgraded Level 2 ‘Get Set’ Evacuation near Burpee Hill Road that is impacting 32 homes. This comes after a landslide in the area on Monday.
The Red Cross opened a shelter for people impacted by those evacuations at the Mount Baker Presbyterian Church off Main Street.
County officials say pets can be accommodated.Schools in the Concrete School District are closed Tuesday. The district will continue to monitor conditions to make decisions for later this week.You can find more school closures across western Washington here.
6:20 a.m.: How you can help
GoFundMe has updated their list of verified fundraisers and non-profits providing help to those affected by the flooding.
To donate to Washington and Pacific Northwest flood relief fundraisers, click here.
6:09 a.m.: Flooding impacting local blood supply
The flash flood evacuation from the Green River levee breach is near Bloodworks Northwest's Renton Lab and Donor Center.
Officials say the stored blood supply remains safe, but the donor center is closed.
Critical blood storage, supplies and vehicles were moved to a different location, and upcoming blood drives may be affected.
Bloodworks Northwest said more than 300 potential donations have been canceled since last week, which created a shortage.
The company is asking donors of all blood types are needed. To donate, click here.
6:04 a.m.: Evacuation efforts in Pacific, WA
Valley Regional Fire Authority crews are working to help residents evacuate in Pacific.
Officials said about 100 residents have been evacuated and no injuries have been reported.
The affected areas primarily are S of 1st, and E of Butte, S of Stewart, and Skinner Road.
5:20 a.m.: Tracking school closures and delays
Several school districts in western Washington announced delays.
Here is the latest list.
5 a.m.: New evacuation orders in Pacific
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Level 3 'Go Now' Evacuations in Pacific, WA
Early Tuesday morning, police in Pacific announced after 1:30 a.m. there was a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order due to a levee break.
Early Tuesday morning, police in Pacific announced after 1:30 a.m. there was a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order due to a levee break on the White River.
The evacuation order affects the areas east of Butte and South of Third.
National Weather Service Seattle issued a Flash Flood Warning before 1:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Tuesday weather forecast
Heavy rain, gusty winds and mountain snow returns to western Washington by Tuesday evening, with the potential to push river levels even higher and knock out power to thousands due to downed trees.
The Skagit, Snoqualmie, Green, White, Cedar, Cowlitz, Stehekin and Skykomish rivers are back under Flood Warnings.
A Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of Western Washington through Thursday afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)
A Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect Tuesday afternoon through late Wednesday for heavy mountain snow.
Green River levee fails, Flash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning was activated on Monday after a Green River levee failed in Tukwila, prompting evacuations in areas downstream from the levee break.
While the warning was canceled just before Monday evening, the Desimone levee breach was at one point described as "life-threatening" and reportedly threatened nearby structures.
Most of western Washington remains under a Flood Watch through Thursday due to the rainy forecast ahead, along with already high river levels.
Road closures in Western Washington
Several critical roadways across western Washington are closed due to weather effects, including highway washouts that will continue to impact travel.
On Interstate 90, eastbound lanes of the freeway are closed near North Bend due to a landslide. Additionally, though not weather related, all westbound lanes are closed near Cle Elum due to construction of the Bullfrog Road overpass.
U.S. 2 Stevens Pass is closed at Tumwater Canyon after a section of the highway was washed out by flooding last week. It's blocked between Skykomish and Leavenworth, and there is no estimated time for when the road will reopen. Highway 410 is also closed at Enumclaw due to a washout.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the websites and social media pages of various agencies and emergency management departments across western Washington, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.