Road Services Division crews with the Department of Local Services have been monitoring and responding to roadways and bridge conditions in unincorporated King County throughout this historic storm.

Heavy rainfall and flooding have overwhelmed roads and bridges across the region. As Western Washington braces for another atmospheric river next week, the impacts from this week’s extreme weather are far from over.

In other words, expect continued road closures as conditions change. (At the time of this blogpost, nearly 30 roads in unincorporated King County were closed, with another three restricted, according to our MyCommute map).

Bottom line is this recovery will take time. Our maintenance crews and engineers continue to inspect damaged areas, assess safety conditions, and make necessary repairs. Some roads and bridges may reopen soon, while others will take longer, depending on the extent of the damage. We appreciate your continued patience and support as our teams work around the clock to reestablish the road network.

  • A log sits in the middle of NE Old Cascade Highway near the Money Creek Campground. It’s one of many roadways in unincorporated king County that went underwater.
  • A shot of a flooded West Old Cascade Highway near Skykomish.
  • A “Road Closed” sign warns drivers in front of a flooded out section of West Old Cascade Highway near Skykomish.

Find latest road information on MyCommute page

Please check the MyCommute page for the most current information on road closures and openings. When a road reopens, it will be reflected there. Crews are prioritizing major arterials, life safety routes and sole access roads first.

Avoid driving if possible

If you don’t need to be on the road, please avoid driving. Flooded roadways can be extremely dangerous, even if they look shallow or safe. There may be hidden damage under the road, and driving over it could make the problem worse. In the end, you might require a rescue if things go really bad.

Find safety information about flooding, landslides, power outages, downed trees and road closures on the King County Emergency News blog.

Safety reminders

If you do have to drive, the Department of Local Services is providing the following tips/reminders to help you stay safe:

  • Turn around, don’t drown: Never drive through flooded roads
  • Don’t drive into standing water: It’s often deeper than it appears and may hide washed-out or damaged pavement
  • Respect road closure signs and barricades: They are in place to keep you safe
  • Slow down and increase following distance: Heavy rain reduces visibility and increases stopping time
  • Around-the-clock response: Our crews are ready to respond 24/7 to reports and, when necessary, close unsafe areas and clear what they can as conditions allow

24/7 Road Helpline

If you see water over the roadway or any problems on the road, report it our 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping keep our communities safe as we work toward recovery.