A GO NOW evacuation notice was issued for small portions of Kent, Renton and Tukwila due to a Green River levee breach in Tukwila, according to King County Emergency Management Services and the National Weather Service.
(See video of the breach at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99XUcvkUKQg, courtesy of the King County Sheriff’s Office and its Guardian One helicopter.)
King County reached out to 1,100 contacts in the impacted area, mostly an industrial and business area, and more than 500 people were evacuated, according to Brendan McCluskey, director of King County Emergency Services.
The flash flood warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15. King County first reported the levee failure just before noon.
“This is for residents and businesses east of the Green River in the Orillia area in Tukwila, Renton and Kent,” according to King County Emergency Management Services. “Due to breach in the Desimone Levee, this area is under a GO NOW evacuation notice.
“Leave immediately if you are in this area. Conditions are dangerous and access routes may be lost at any time. Go north or south of evacuated area away from flooding waters. Do not drive or walk through standing or moving water. Turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive around barricades or road closures. If you need emergency evacuation assistance, call 911.”
In a press conference, Reid Wolcott, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Seattle, said that these events are not yet finished.
“This is just one small event, there is a regional event that has been going on for more than a week at this point, and we expect more impacts across the Pacific Northwest over the coming days,” said Wolcott. “We’ve had multiple atmospheric river systems impact the region. Extreme amounts of rainfall have fallen in the Cascades and the headwaters, and all of our river systems across Western Washington.”
For updated information, go to kcemergency.com.
Kent impact
The Desimone Levee along the Green River in Tukwila has breached but is currently holding steady, according to a city of Kent Facebook update. This is a predominantly industrial area of Kent, and no residential neighborhoods are being affected at this time, according to the city. A Code Red Alert went out to all impacted properties.
As part of Kent’s Ready-Set-Go emergency system it is initiating a Level 3: GO NOW evacuation notice for anyone in following area within the Kent boundaries:
• To the North: Kent city limits
• To the West: Green River
• To the South: South 200th St
• To the East: West Valley Highway
People should leave immediately if you are in this area. There are road closures in the area, please avoid these and any roads with standing water.
Renton impact
According to a city of Renton Facebook post, the breach is being managed by King County, and they are working to stabilize the area. As of early Monday afternoon, there is no immediate impact to the commercial area of Renton east of SR-167 and south of SW 19th Street.
If the levee breach were to reach Renton, it would impact commercial areas east of SR-167 and south of SW 19th Street with at most a couple feet of water, according to the city. Areas in Renton, such as downtown, Talbot/Benson, and Renton High School, and Renton Airport should not be areas of concerns.
Tukwila impact
For Tukwila the GO NOW is only for that part of the city south of South 180th Street and west of West Valley Highway, according to a city Facebook post.
The city nor King County has not issued an evacuation for any areas west of the Green River. However, the situation could change and residents and business should be ready in case an evacuation order needs to be issued.
GO NOW meaning
(Provided by city of Kent)
• Evacuate immediately. Do not wait.
• Take essential items only:
• Medications and medical supplies
• Important documents
• Pets and pet supplies
• Phone chargers and essential necessities
• Avoid all flooded roads.
• Do NOT drive or walk through standing or moving water.
• Turn around, don’t drown.
• Do NOT drive around barricades or road closures
Shelters
(According to King County Emergency Management Services)
• Auburn Community and Event Center, 910 9th St. SE, Auburn, 98002
• Ray of Hope Shelter, 2806 Auburn Way N. Auburn, 98002
• Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE., Monroe, 98272 (Open 24 hours) – Pets welcomed
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The Green River in Tukwila on Saturday, Dec. 13. FILE PHOTO, City of Tukwila
Map of areas in Kent, Renton and Tukwila impacted by Green River levee breach Dec. 15. COURTESY IMAGE, King County Map of areas in Kent, Renton and Tukwila impacted by Green River levee breach Dec. 15. COURTESY IMAGE, King County
