Levee on Green River fails in Tukwila; get to higher ground immediately
A levee has failed on the Green River and people living in low-lying areas of Tukwila need to move to higher ground immediately.
KIRO 7 confirmed that as of 2:30 p.m., temporary repairs to the breach have been completed and work continues.
The city of Tukwila issued a Level 1 “ready evacuation” order for a larger area outside the breach.
“Conditions can change suddenly with little warning. The City encourages people to leave at short notice for the Southcenter District, the West Valley Hwy area, and the flood-prone east side of Interurban Ave South (north of I-405 and north end of Foster Golf Course). Conditions may deteriorate and access routes may be limited.”
The affected area in Tukwila is a commercial business park in the southeast corner of Tukwila. The affected area extends into Kent and Renton.
No residential apartments or houses will be affected in Tukwila.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle issued a Flash Flood Warning early in the afternoon due to a malfunction of the Desimone Levee along Todd Boulevard.
It initially covered about 47,000 people, but within a few hours it was reduced to covering 7,000 people.
“If you are in this area, leave immediately. Conditions are hazardous and access roads may be lost at any time. Move north or south of the evacuation area, away from floodwaters. Do not drive or walk through still or moving water. Turn around, do not drown. Do not go around barricades or road closures,” Governor Bob Ferguson said in an online statement.
The King County Sheriff’s Office shared video of the break from the Guardian One helicopter:
emergency shelters
There are three shelters set up for those who need to be evacuated:
Auburn Community and Event Center, 910 9th St. SE, Auburn, WA, 98002
Ray of Hope Shelter, 2806 Auburn Way N. Auburn, WA, 98002
Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE., Monroe, WA 98272 (open 24 hours) – Pets welcome
Tukwila – affected areas
As of 2:23 p.m., Tukwila police said the affected area was a commercial business park located in the southeast corner of the city and affected parts of Tukwila, Kent and Renton.
Tukwila communities such as Allentown, Foster Point and Duwamish are not under evacuation orders.
There are currently no evacuation orders in Tukwila for areas north of S. 180th Street or west of Green River.
Southcenter District is now open.
Boeing issued a warning for employees in the area. If severe weather conditions impact any Boeing operations, employees can call the Boeing Employee Emergency Line (1-800-899-6431) and find out on their website. http://boeing.com/emergency. If a site is not mentioned, transactions are normal.
Renton city limits are not being evacuated
At 3:30 p.m., Renton announced that areas within city limits were not required to evacuate at this time.
Witnessing the pavement breaking
A tree care company said crews were working near the levee when it failed. Sound Tree Care LLC posted on Facebook saying its team was performing authorized emergency tree work to remove a maple tree that posed a threat to the levee. It failed upriver from where they were. No one was injured.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
