Washington State commuters experienced significant disruptions as a series of mudslides and flooding events forced the closure of major roadways across Western Washington. KOMO News reported that a mudslide at milepost 30 on eastbound Interstate 90 near State Route 18 prompted officials to shut down the freeway on Wednesday. It was noted that the mudslide, engulfing three vehicles, caused a complete halt of traffic between Winery Road and milepost 32, yet remarkably, no injuries were reported and all vehicle occupants managed to escape.
The disruption continued into the night as FOX 13 Seattle stated eastbound I-90 remained fully blocked near North Bend between Winery Road and 436th Avenue Southeast with no immediate time given for reopening, this forced drivers to seek alternative routes, during this period, westbound I-90 stayed open. The report also highlighted closures on US 2 Stevens Pass due to mud and debris, US 97 Blewett Pass, and stretches of State Route 410 near Greenwater, all contributing to a nightmarish travel situation for many motorists.
Yesterday morning, the landscape of road closures had expanded as Yakima Herald detailed the extensive impact of the ongoing flooding and mudslides; Eastbound I-90 near North Bend was still closed for 5 miles, while law enforcement directed traffic around water on the roadway. Additional highway closures included Highway 2 from Index-Galena Road to Sky Lane and further closures stretching near Stevens Pass to the west of Leavenworth; Highway 18, connecting I-90 to Issaquah Hobart Road, was also shut down due to the calamity.
Extended route closures in Okanogan and Skagit counties compounded the travel woes, with Highway 20 closed in both directions in separate locations due to the encroachment of water and debris, despite a local detour being in place for drivers willing to brave the conditions. The highway wasn't alone as both directions of Highway 162 found itself in similar straits near Orting, Pierce County, closed near Rainier Avenue Southeast to Harman Way.
