Green River Levee Failure Triggers Urgent Flood Evacuations in South King County
Right now, a serious flooding situation is unfolding in southern King County after a levee along the Green River failed, raising fears of life-threatening flash flooding. This all started late Monday morning when the National Weather Service confirmed that the Desmone Levee near Tukwila had been breached. From that moment, the risk level escalated quickly, and thousands of people were suddenly placed in potential danger.
A Flash Flood Warning was immediately issued, with officials warning that water could move rapidly and unpredictably. Areas in Tukwila, Renton, and Kent were identified as the most at risk, especially neighborhoods and businesses located east of the Green River, including the Orillia area. Residents there were placed under a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order, which means people were urged to leave immediately and not wait to see how conditions might change.
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It was explained by emergency officials that the flooding could worsen with little notice. Water was expected to push northward toward major roadways, including Interstate 405, making travel even more dangerous. People were strongly advised not to walk or drive through standing or moving water, since even shallow floodwaters can hide serious hazards. Barricades and road closures were put in place, and everyone was urged to respect them for their own safety.
Several major roads were shut down due to flooding, including long stretches of State Route 167, along with multiple local roads and access points near parks and industrial areas. These closures were described as necessary to prevent injuries and allow emergency crews to work safely. The Washington National Guard was also deployed to support local response efforts, showing just how serious the situation had become.
Officials later shared that the levee had already been under close watch because of days of heavy rain. That monitoring allowed for a quick response once the breach occurred. While the failure caused widespread concern, it was confirmed that no injuries had been reported at the time. Repairs to the levee were started and were expected to take several hours or longer, with continuous monitoring ongoing.
At the peak of the warning, more than 46,000 people were considered at risk, along with schools and a hospital. By the afternoon, that number was reduced, but the danger had not fully passed. Shelters were opened in nearby cities to support evacuees, and people were encouraged to move to higher ground and stay alert.
This remains a developing situation, and conditions could change rapidly. For now, safety officials are emphasizing one clear message: take evacuation orders seriously, move deliberately, and avoid doing anything that could put yourself or first responders in further danger.
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