Seattle Lifts Flood Warning Following Green River Levee Repairs

The National Weather Service in Seattle has rescinded its flash flood warning for the west-central region of King County following the temporary repair of the Desimone Levee along the Green River. Crews from the county conducted emergency repairs on Monday evening, leading officials to conclude that the risk of significant flooding has diminished. Residents are reminded to adhere to still-active road closures and avoid driving through any flooded areas, as a Flood Watch continues for portions of Washington until Thursday afternoon.

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay reported that the levee breach led to flooding near an industrial location but did not cause injuries. He noted that while the situation was urgent and developed rapidly, the prompt response from county teams averted a potential loss of life. Emergency managers indicated that the levee was already under scrutiny due to prior concerns, enabling immediate action following the breach.

By Monday evening, King County Emergency Management lifted the evacuation alerts for residents and businesses situated east of the Green River within the Orillia area, affecting parts of Tukwila, Renton, and Kent. Authorities confirmed that it is now safe for individuals to return home, though citizens should remain vigilant in the event of changing conditions. Initial warnings had indicated that the levee's failure posed the risk of hazardous flash flooding, threatening over 46,000 individuals, including local schools and a hospital. By the afternoon, this at-risk figure had notably decreased. Officials highlighted that the area primarily consists of industrial sites, with no residential neighborhoods currently at risk, urging the public to maintain caution and preparedness.