LIVE: Record rains lead to flooding across parts of Pacific Northwest
A strong atmospheric river brought several inches of rain to western Washington and northern Oregon, and feet of snow to the Cascades and Eastern Washington. Record flooding is ongoing in southwestern Washington and I-5 is closed over a 20-mile stretch.
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A mudslide knocked a home off its foundation in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood, leaving a man trapped in his basement as the house caught fire, according to Seattle Fire. Firefighters freed the man and a woman who had been inside escaped on her own. Sadly, a dog was found dead and a second dog remains missing.
A 72-year-old man is missing and presumed drowned after likely being swept away in floodwaters in southwestern Washington.
According to Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Brad Johansson, the man went out early Friday morning to move his car to higher ground as floodwaters rose near their Cosmopolis home, but never returned. Rising waters made it impossible to reach the home in the immediate aftermath, but a search done later in the afternoon by water and air came up empty. Police believe the man went down a steep embankment next to his driveway and was swept away.
Image courtesy: Washington State Department of Transportation
A semi truck driver ignored and drove around the road closure signs at White Pass and this was the result, says the Washington State Department of Transportation.
"Road Closed signs apply to everyone. This is why," WSDOT said. "Our crews had to rescue the occupants then today guide them down behind our snow blower. So. ...please don't."
Seattle firefighters work to rescue a man trapped in his home after a hillside crashed into the front, trapping him in his basement.
Heavy snow at Washington's White Pass. (Photo: WSDOT)
DOT crews are still working to clear immense about of snow from the four Cascade passes that were closed Thursday due to extremely hazardous conditions. Snoqualmie Pass crews say 26" of snow fell in the past 24 hours and over 70" since Sunday. There were 38 natural avalanches fell onto I-90 overnight Thursday. "This is a serious safety issue," they warn. No estimate when the passes will reopen. Photo is from nearby White Pass (US-12).
Courtesy: West Thurston Fire Department
Firefighters from West Thurston Fire Dept. help evacuate families from floodwaters reaching 3 feet deep in Rochester, Washington.
NOAA GOES-17 image
At the height of the storm Thursday the atmospheric river stretched from the Pacific Northwest all the way to near Hawaii.
Courtesy: FOX 12 Oregon
A 20-mile stretch of Interstate 5 has been shut down around Chehalis, Washington due to rising waters from the Chehalis River, severing a major artery between Seattle and Portland. DOT crews estimate it could be until Sunday before the freeway reopens.
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