:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Washington-Flooding-121525-0474d353852148cc80879ae1cebc5e0b.jpg)
NEED TO KNOW
- Three Seattle suburbs have been evacuated after a levee failed as historic flooding continues in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest
- NWS Seattle warned of “life threatening” conditions near Tukwila as a result of the breach
- The warning impacts more than 47,000 people, according to the Associated Press
Evacuations have been ordered in three Seattle suburbs after a levee failed amid historic flooding in the Pacific Northwest.
A flash flood warning was issued on Monday, Dec. 15, after the Desimone Levee along the Green River was breached in Tukwila, Wash., according to a series of posts shared by the National Weather Service’s office in Seattle.
A “GO NOW” evacuation notice was issued for King County, with residents and businesses east of the Green River in the Orillia area ordered to “leave immediately” by the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
The warning impacts nearly 47,000 people in parts of Kent, Auburn and Tukwila, according to the Associated Press.
King County county dispatch reported the failure of the Green River levee at 11:51 a.m. local time on Monday, according to NWS Seattle.
NWS Seattle warned of “life threatening” conditions near Tukwila as a result, telling locals to “move to higher ground now” and “act quickly to protect your life.”
Natalie Behring/Getty
The Flash Flood Warning is set to expire at 9 p.m. local time on Monday, according to NWS Seattle.
“Conditions are dangerous and access routes may be lost at any time,” King County OEM said in its bulletin.
The Washington National Guard has announced that it is sending members to King County “for support” in wake of the flash flood warning.
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes amid the historic flooding in Washington state, according to NBC News.
Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday, Dec. 10, one week after “a significant atmospheric river and winter weather event began” on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Brandon Bell/Getty
As of Monday morning, more than 250 Guard members were out “supporting on-going flood response operations in Western WA,” according to a post on X from the Washington National Guard.
“Our team has filled nearly 15,000 sandbags, continue to support traffic control points, evacuations, hoist missions and swift water rescues,” they stated.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In a separate a post on X, Ferguson said he “deeply” appreciates the work being done by the National Guard as the flood disaster unfolds.
“If you see National Guard service members out in our communities, they’re here to keep Washingtonians safe,” Ferguson added.