Flash flood warning, evacuation notice in Seattle suburbs after levee breach
An evacuation notice has been issued for the Seattle area after a levee breach prompted a flash flood warning, officials said.
The National Weather Service issued the flash flood warning on Monday due to a levee breach in Tukwila, a suburb of Seattle located in King County. The warning, issued through Monday night, impacts more than 45,000 people.
An evacuation notice is in effect for parts of King County.
"Conditions are dangerous and access routes may be lost at any time," the National Weather Service's Seattle office warned on X. "Go north or south of evacuated area away from flooding waters."
The evacuation notice impacts residents and businesses east of the Green River in the Orillia area in Tukwila, Renton and Kent, the NWS said. Those impacted were told to leave immediately.
"This is a very serious and emerging situation," King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said at a press briefing on Monday.
The Desimone levee on the Green River breached around 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday, Zahilay said. The levee is in the process of being repaired, he said.
"Conditions remain dynamic as rain returns and water levels continue to rise and change in unpredictable ways," Zahilay said. "The most important action that residents can take is to please listen to experts, listen to responders and listen to law enforcement."
The Washington National Guard said it has guard members heading to King County for support.
Flood watches are in effect for parts of the Pacific Northwest for much of this week, as several more rounds of rain are expected in the Pacific Northwest.
Last week, parts of Washington state saw historic river flooding and submerged neighborhoods after atmospheric rivers dumped more than 15 inches of rain in some areas.
The Green River had already flooded in some areas due to the recent atmospheric river events, officials said.
