TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) — Authorities in Washington state have issued an evacuation order for approximately 1,100 homes and businesses after a small section of an earthen levee on the Green River failed due to heavy rains.
The evacuation order covers parts of Tukwila, Kent, and Renton, according to Brendan McCluskey, the emergency management director for King County. Initially, a flash flood warning included nearly 47,000 people in the region, but this was later refined to a smaller area affecting about 7,000 residents.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Officials stated that while the flooding was concentrated in industrial areas, measures were taken to ensure public safety.
Crews used sandbags to support the breached levee, which has historically struggled with flooding issues. Taylor, a local natural resources director, noted that the inundation and saturated levee conditions are concerning, especially following previous repairs after damage from past floods.
In the past week, heavy rains have posed significant challenges in Washington, raising water levels and prompting emergency responses across multiple communities. As preparation continues, the situation remains fluid, and authorities are working diligently to mitigate further risks despite the adverse conditions.
Recent weather patterns have raised alarms, with experts closely monitoring levee conditions and providing ongoing updates as the situation develops.
