Now that the rain is gone, road crews are turning their attention to the massive cleanup that lies ahead.
In the wake of this weekend’s record rainfall, King County crews are responding to road problems on three fronts – keeping an eye on roads impacted by river flooding, responding to washouts and clogged storm drains caused by urban flooding and cleaning up debris from mudslides.
Currently more than 25 roads are closed in unincorporated areas of King County due to river flooding and slides.
As a result of moderate flooding on the Snoqualmie River, several roads in low-lying areas have been closed. While some roads in the upper valley may reopen later today, it will take a day or more for roads downstream near Carnation to reopen. While these closures are causing some access problems for motorists traveling around in the valley, it looks like road damage from the river flooding may be minimal.
Mudslides are proving to be more problematic. The Road Services Division reports several roads have been impacted by mudslides and a few of them have been significant. Those include:
· A significant slide on NE 117th Place near Kirkland that is also impacting some homes
· Sliding on a section of West Snoqualmie Valley Road between Carnation and Duvall
· Debris over 68th Avenue South, south of Renton
· Sliding on Jones Road at 196th Avenue Southeast.
· Slides impacting Dockton Road and Gorsuch Road on Vashon Island
· Damage to a section of retaining wall on Rainier Avenue near Renton
In addition to these slides, crews are responding to several smaller slides and reports of debris over roadways all across the county. And due to saturated soils, the sliding may not be over yet. Slides can occur for several days following sustained periods of rain, so motorists should continue to be on the lookout for road problems.
Residents who spot problems on roads maintained by King County should report them by calling the Road Services Division’s 24-hour help line at (206) 296-8100 or 1-800 KC ROADS. For an up-to-date listing of current King County road closures, visit gismaps.kingcounty.gov/roadalert.
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