An evacuation notice was issued for the Seattle area after a levee break prompted a flash flood warning, officials said.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Monday due to a levee breach in Tukwila, a Seattle suburb located in King County. The warning, issued until Monday night, impacts more than 45,000 people.
An evacuation notice is in effect for parts of King County.
A drone view shows an area flooded by the Green River, after multiple atmospheric rivers brought rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Kent, Washington, on December 15, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters
“Conditions are hazardous and access routes could be lost at any time,” the National Weather Service office in Seattle said. warned in X. “Go north or south of the evacuated area, away from flood waters.”
He evacuation notice It affects residents and businesses east of the Green River in the Orillia area in Tukwila, Renton and Kent, the NWS said. Those affected were told to leave immediately.
A drone view shows flooding on a closed road in an area flooded by the Green River, after multiple atmospheric rivers brought rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Auburn, Washington, on December 15, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters
“This is a very serious and emerging situation,” King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said at a news conference Monday.
The Desimone Dam on the Green River broke around 11:30 a.m. local time Monday, Zahilay said. The dam is in the process of being repaired, he said.
The Green River Dam breech in Tukwila, Washington, December 15, 2025.
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“Conditions remain dynamic as rainfall returns and water levels continue to rise and change unpredictably,” Zahilay said. “The most important action residents can take is to listen to the experts, listen to first responders and listen to authorities.”
The Washington National Guard said it has guard members heading to King County for support.
Christmas decorations are hung along a fence at a flooded baseball field on December 15, 2025 in Sumas, Washington.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Flood watches are in effect for parts of the Pacific Northwest for much of this week, as several more rounds of rain are expected in the Pacific Northwest.
Last week, parts of Washington state experienced historic flooding and submerged neighborhoods after atmospheric rivers dumped more than 15 inches of rain in some areas.
The Green River had already overflowed its banks in some areas due to recent river atmospheric events, officials said.
