Flood Barrier Fails, Prompting Evacuation of Hundreds in South King County

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Flood Barrier Fails, Prompting Evacuation of Hundreds in South King County

Early on Tuesday morning, hundreds of residents in Auburn and Pacific, located in the southern part of King County, were compelled to evacuate due to severe flooding of the White River. The incident unfolded when a critical flood barrier failed, prompting immediate action from local authorities.

Emergency Evacuation for Residents

At approximately 2:30 AM, authorities initiated the evacuation process. Residents reported police officers knocking on doors, urging them to leave. Dean Johnson heard a warning from a helicopter announcing evacuation orders. “It was bad,” he remarked regarding the urgency of the situation.

Impact on the Community

Over 2,000 individuals were affected by the evacuation in Auburn and Pacific. Deb Jenkins, a local resident, recalled her own evacuation experience from a previous flood in 2009. “The people we know that are elderly and had a hard time getting out, we made sure they got out,” Jenkins stated, highlighting the community’s willingness to help each other.

More than 2,000 residents evacuated.
Emergency services began alerts around 2:30 AM.
Many residents were assisted by neighbors and volunteers.

Personal Accounts of Evacuation

One resident, Eddy Edwards, recounted how he and his roommate fled their home with their dog using a kayak. “When it got up to about my chest, that’s when I realized this is serious,” Edwards shared. Several evacuees returned to find their homes inundated with water, with some wading through knee-deep waters to assess the damage.

Trevor Curtis was among those trapped by the floodwaters. Surrounded completely, he struggled to exit in his vehicle until Nick Carter arrived to assist. “We brought chains and ropes just in case we needed to drag anybody or grab anybody,” Carter explained, emphasizing his commitment to helping those in distress.

Community Response and Ongoing Challenges

As the floods persisted, many evacuees sought shelter with friends and family or turned to local community centers. Efforts were made to assist first responders and residents through food pantries. The effects of the flood were severe enough that some residents might not return home for several days.

Eddy Edwards struggled to find available motel rooms.
Local leaders established a food pantry for community support.

Flood Management Efforts

Emergency crews began deploying nylon soaking sacks to manage water levels in affected areas. Unfortunately, the flood remained a pressing concern, with the Green and White rivers observed still at Level 3 flood stage as of Wednesday morning. While a brief respite from the rain provided some hope, more precipitation is predicted in the days ahead.