Washington State Forced to Evacuate

2009-01-09 06:29:09 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Headline, Justice News Flash)

Washington state evacuates thousands because of flooding

Heavy rains and warming temperatures devastate Washington State. Rampant flooding turns towns, highways and railroad tracks into swamps.

JusticeNewsFlash.com–Mudslides and avalanches swallowed entire neighborhoods and highways in Washington State earlier today reports the Associated Press (AP). Temperatures warming and record downpours of rain rapidly melted mountain top snow. The domino effect of melting snow, rapid rainfall and rising water led to mass flooding causing thousands to evacuate.

The National Weather Service issued dozens of flood warnings and Amtrak passenger trains out of Seattle were canceled due to mudslides and rising waters. Snoqualmie Pass reports 10 inches of melted snow in a 12-hour period yesterday. The city of Tacoma mayor declared a city of emergency for about 200,000 residents. Washington State emergency officials have issued voluntary evacuations. Interstate 5 around Chehalis was closed for over 20-miles by state highway crews Wednesday night and remains closed for possibly days. Insiders at the Department of Transportation estimate some 55,000 drivers use Interstate 5 near Chehalis every day. Washington’s three major east-west roadways through the Cascade Mountains remain closed today.

Weather officials say the conditions for this type of weather began last weekend when the Cascade Mountains received massive snow falls. Avalanches of snow and mud approximately 100 yards wide caused evacuations of homes east of Snoqualmine Pass along with several condominium complexes. Now with the rising air temperatures and massive rainfall continuous flooding remains inevitable. The rain continues to fall, temperatures continue to rise, the snow continues to melt and hundreds of thousands in Washington continue to struggle to stay dry. Thankfully no serious injuries and deaths have been reported. The damage and devastation to homes and property remains unknown.

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