flooding Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Biden Administration Launches Website To Provide Real-Time Climate Data, Predict Future Scenarios

By Courtney Flatt September 9, 2022

A new climate assessment website could help communities better understand their chance of facing climate risks, such as wildfires.

A first-of-its-kind climate resiliency website will help communities understand climate-related risks, the Biden administration said. The new website, launched Thursday, provides real-time information and predictions for local communities that are more vulnerable to disasters, such as wildfires, heat waves and droughts. Read More

Hydraulic Project Permits Expedited To Assist Homeowners Near Landslide And Flooding Areas

By Lauren Gallup December 1, 2021

Wildfires can leave land vulnerable to flooding and landslides. With the flooding recently, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expedited the permitting process for projects to protect safety and health for homeowners. Continue Reading Hydraulic Project Permits Expedited To Assist Read More

Study: Warmer Weather Will Increase Flooding In Columbia River Basin This Century

By Monica Samayoa February 15, 2021

The Columbia River west of the Gorge as it heads toward Portland and out to the Pacific Ocean. CREDIT: Amelia Templeton/OPB

Warmer winter weather, more rainfall and less snow will contribute to significantly increased flooding in the Columbia River Basin this century due to climate change, new research says. Continue Reading Study: Warmer Weather Read More

‘Catastrophic’ Dam Failures In Michigan Force Thousands To Evacuate

By NPR News May 20, 2020

Water overruns the Sanford Dam in Michigan on Tuesday. The National Weather Service called the flooding "extremely dangerous" and said it was caused by "catastrophic failures" at two dams. CREDIT: TC Vortex via Reuters

The National Weather Service calls the event "extremely dangerous" and says it was caused by "catastrophic failures at the Edenville and Sanford dams," roughly 140 miles north of Detroit. Continue Reading ‘Catastrophic’ Dam Read More

Helicopter Rescues, Roads Closed, Sandbags Filled: SE Washington And NE Oregon Hit With Floods

By Anna King February 9, 2020

Many houses in Waitsburg, Washington, a small wheat town, are still sitting in lakes of trapped water. Residents were busy moving out their valuables, and accessing damage on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. CREDIT: Anna King/N3

Flood waters in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon are starting to recede. But this relatively good news follows days of bad news and inundated towns – along with collapsed bridges, dozens of helicopter rescues and washed-out roads. It’s all caused by recent heavy rainfall and fast-melting snow. Read More

Areas Of The Northwest From Walla Walla To Umatilla To The Palouse Deal With Flooding, High Water

By NWPB News February 7, 2020

Mill Creek at Whitman College in Walla Walla was running high and brown with quick melt and agricultural runoff Friday, Feb. 2, 2020. CREDIT: Thomas Reese

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has issued an emergency proclamation for 20 counties as major flooding inundated Washington and Oregon. Continue Reading Areas Of The Northwest From Walla Walla To Umatilla To The Read More

Imelda Causing ‘Major, Catastrophic Flooding’ In Southeast Texas, Forecasters Warn

By NPR News September 19, 2019

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in 13 counties. Some parts of southeast Texas could see rain totals of 30 to 40 inches through Friday, the National Weather Service says. Continue Reading Imelda Causing Read More

Months Of Flooding On Mississippi River Marooned Midwest Trade

By NPR News August 16, 2019

The Shawnee Forest towboat steers down the Ohio River near American Commercial Barge Line's office outside Cairo, Ill. As of June 12, more than 600 barges were waiting to go upstream once water levels dropped.. CREDIT: Madelyn Beck/Illinois Newsroom

Long-term flooding along major waterways stranded barges up and down the Mississippi River this summer and caused havoc with river transportation and the economy that depends on it. Continue Reading Months Of Flooding On Mississippi River Read More

High-Tide Flooding On The Rise, Especially Along The East Coast, Forecasters Warn

By NPR News July 10, 2019

A street in Miami flooded during a high tide in 2018. A new report confirms that the number of days with high-tide flooding is increasing in many U.S. cities as sea levels rise. Wilfredo Lee/AP

As sea levels rise, coastal flooding that used to happen only during storms is increasingly occurring on sunny days. That has local officials reconsidering everything from zoning to police budgets. Continue Reading High-Tide Read More

‘It’s Never Done This’: Arkansas River Keeps Flooding, Testing Levees And Patience

By NPR News June 1, 2019

John and Louise Hutchins stand in their garage in Fort Smith, Ark., behind a homemade sandbag barrier. They chose not to evacuate, in part because they did not think their neighborhood would flood. Nathan Rott/NPR

The Arkansas River is rising well above its previous record, and it's forecast to stay that way for days. That's putting pressure on old levees and making it hard for some residents to evacuate. Continue Reading ‘It’s Read More

When ‘1-In-100-Year’ Floods Happen Often, What Should You Call Them?

By NPR News May 8, 2019

Hurricane Florence flooded Nichols, S.C., in September 2018. It was the second catastrophic flood in the region in less than two years. Gerald Herbert/AP

In some places, homes and businesses in what's known as the 100-year flood plain have been hit by multiple floods in a matter of weeks. When these sorts of floods happen back to back, many residents might start to wonder: Why are they even called 100-year floods? Read More

UPDATES: Flooding Closes Roads, Prompts Emergency Response In Moscow-Pullman Area

By Scott Leadingham April 10, 2019

Flooding in Pullman closed Grand Avenue/SR 27 at Stadium Way, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. CREDIT: Matt Haugen/WSU News

Residents of the Palouse region of southeastern Washington and north-central Idaho experienced flood conditions Tuesday. The localized flooding from heavy rain was expected to persist into Wednesday. Continue Reading UPDATES: Flooding Read More

The Midwest Battles Historic Floods In The Aftermath Of ‘Bomb Cyclone’

By NPR News March 17, 2019

Tom Wilke, his son Chad, and Nick Kenny launch a boat into the swollen waters of the Elkhorn River to check on Wilke's flooded property, in Norfolk, Neb., on Friday, March 15. Nati Harnik/AP

A powerful weather system swept through the region, bringing blizzard conditions and leaving many communities with record-setting floods. At least two people have died. Continue Reading The Midwest Battles Historic Floods In The Aftermath Read More

Eightmile Lake Dam Above Leavenworth Gets New Spillway, Being Monitored

By Anna King May 21, 2018

Eightmile Lake damn n the Alpine Lakes Wilderness above Leavenworth. A century-old dam there is now under threat.

Outside of Leavenworth, Washington, crews have been working on a dam in trouble. Now, the irrigation district that owns the dam has installed a new 55-foot spillway of large rocks to reinforce the structure. Continue Reading Eightmile Read More

Emergency Managers In ‘Defense Mode’ As Okanogan Flood Outlook Changes To Lower Level

By Emily Schwing May 19, 2018

The flooded Okanogan River flowing through downtown Omak, Friday, May 18, 2018.

A week ago, forecasters were predicting the Okanogan River might crest this weekend near a record flood mark set back in 1972. Now, emergency managers are moving into “defense mode” and are now predicting somewhat lower water levels. Read More

Okanogan And Ferry County Flooding: Emergency Information And Updates

By NWPB News May 17, 2018

The Okanogan River from a drone video by Okanogan County Emergency Management, May 11, 2018.

Conditions in Okanogan and Ferry counties have moved to a major flood state, where Governor Jay Inslee has declared an emergency. The Okanogan River is expected to continue rising through the weekend and through the following week to a level not reached since the historic flood of 1972. Read More

Despite Floods, Officials Say Municipal Drinking Water In Okanogan Valley Still Safe

By Emily Schwing May 17, 2018

Roughly 200 people attended a public meeting at the high school in Oroville. They were briefed by emergency managers on flooding in the Okanogan Valley. CREDIT: EMILY SCHWING

Emergency management officials are trying to protect drinking water systems throughout the Okanogan Valley from flood water contamination. Continue Reading Despite Floods, Officials Say Municipal Drinking Water In Okanogan Read More

Photos: Preparing For Floods In Washington’s Okanogan Valley

By Emily Schwing May 16, 2018

A home along Lake Osoyoos in Oroville, Washington, is already inundated with flood water. A near record snow year in southern British Columbia combined with temperatures in the upper 80s means flood waters will continue to rise. CREDIT: EMILY SCHWING/NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK

The combination of a near-record snowpack in southern British Columbia and temperatures soaring into the upper 80s has caused flood watches starting at the U.S.-Canada border running south along the Okanogan River. Correspondent Emily Schwing is on the scene and sent back these photos. Read More

Community Works To Keep Friends Dry As Flood Threat Looms In Okanogan Valley

By Emily Schwing May 15, 2018

Rose and Andre Corso are trying to make the best of a potentially disastrous situation as they prepare for extreme flooding at their home alongside the Okanogan River in Tonasket, Washington.

Throughout northcentral and northeastern Washington, residents are preparing for the worst. Some of the heaviest flooding is expected along the Okanogan River. In Tonasket, the community is pulling together to move families who live along the river to higher ground. Read More