In the early hours of 2025-12-16, a catastrophic failure of the Green River levee in King County, Washington, has prompted widespread evacuations and triggered a flash flood warning . The breach has raised serious concerns for the safety of residents in areas east of the Green River, encompassing parts of Kent, Auburn, and Tukwila, with nearly 47,000 people directly affected .
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent warnings, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the situation. The Desimone Levee, which failed near Seattle's Green River, has caused significant flooding after days of heavy rain. This has led to the issuance of an immediate "Go Now" evacuation order . The NWS has cautioned that access routes could be lost at any moment, making the situation even more perilous .
The breach in the levee, which occurred on the Desimone Levee beside the Green River, had been a point of concern for officials. The area had been under scrutiny due to the potential for a breach, and the heavy rainfall in recent days exacerbated the situation, leading to the eventual failure . The NWS's Seattle office has been vigilant, issuing a flash flood warning shortly before noon on Monday for areas near Tukwila .
King County emergency officials have been swift in their response, issuing the urgent "Go Now" evacuation order for residents and businesses in Tukwila, Renton, and Kent. The failure of the levee has sent floodwaters pouring into nearby neighborhoods, prompting immediate action to ensure public safety . The complexity of the situation is compounded by the ongoing rain, which continues to impact already flooded areas across western Washington .
The current events serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in flood management systems and the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. This is not the first time the region has faced such challenges, and it underscores the need for robust infrastructure and timely responses to mitigate the impact of such events. The failure of the Green River levee highlights the critical role of monitoring and maintaining levees and other flood control measures to protect communities from the devastating effects of flash flooding.
