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Severe flooding in Washington state has resulted in one death and forced evacuations after a levee breach along the White River in Pacific early Tuesday (December 16). The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning for southwestern King County shortly after 1:35 a.m. local time. About 2,100 residents are under a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order due to the levee failure.
The breach prompted the evacuation of approximately 220 homes in the area, as reported by KCPQ. Emergency crews are working to fill sandbags and contain the breach before the Army Corps releases water from the Mud Mountain Dam. The cause of the levee failure is still under investigation.
In a related incident, a 33-year-old man died after driving into floodwaters in Snohomish County. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and the incident is under investigation. The region remains under a flood watch, with more rain expected in the coming days.