floods Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Rethinking levees to reduce flood risk

By Lauren Gallup September 29, 2023

The Calistoga Reach Levee Set Back in Pierce County is an engineered levee set back to help the river flow in a more natural way. The project was part of a larger Floodplains by Design grant. // Courtesy the Washington State Department of Ecology

Washington Rep. Steve Tharinger of the 24th district became intimately acquainted with levee setbacks when he discovered the levee protecting his house on the lower Dungeness River was not only not protecting his house, but harming the ecosystem too. “I sold my house and the five acres in a barn we had, so that we'd have more room to move that levee back and give the Read More

Financial relief still on hold for homeowners in Whatcom impacted by 2021 floods

By Lauren Gallup September 13, 2023

Nooksack River flooding, Nov. 2021. // Courtesy of Brandon Parsons, with aerial support by LightHawk

Homeowners in Whatcom County have been waiting nearly two years for relief from flooding that devastated communities in northwest Washington and parts of Canada — and now, they have to wait even longer. Federal funding was supposed to come this week for 12 homeowners whose houses were destroyed during the November 2021 flooding. However, it’s been delayed, again. 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

‘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

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

As Okanogan River Recedes, Memories Of Past Floods Remain

By NWPB News June 4, 2018

Ruth and Richard Tembey were both born in 1935. They've lived in Tonasket, Washington, almost all their lives. CREDIT: EMILY SCHWING/N3

The Okanogan River has receded from its emergency flood stage seen for several weeks in May. Left behind are the memories and high-water marks of floods and natural disasters past. Continue Reading As Okanogan River Recedes, Memories Of Past Floods 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

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

As Dam Strains Above Leavenworth, Feds And Local Irrigation District Disagree

By Anna King May 15, 2018

The Icicle and Peshastin Irrigation Districts have come under intense questioning and scrutiny as one of their four dams is under intense pressure this week and is in danger of failing. CREDIT: ANNA KING

The National Weather Service is predicting possible thunderstorms later this week around the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, Washington. That could cause the Eightmile Lake Dam above the town to fail. Continue Reading As Dam Read More

Flooding Hits Okanogan And Ferry Counties As Melting Canadian Snowpack Fills Rivers

By Scott Leadingham May 10, 2018

The Okanogan River in Omak on May 7, 2018. CREDIT: OKANOGAN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

It’s a record year for flooding in northeastern Washington as spring runoff makes its way into rivers. At least eight are at or above flood stage. Nearly all of them cross the U.S.-Canada border. Continue Reading Flooding Read More