NACHES, Wash. – Evacuations remain in place for areas within 200 feet of the Naches River in Yakima County. The evacuation zone starts at the Little Naches River and extends east to South Naches Road in Naches.
Additionally, areas around the Yakima River from Sundown M Ranch to Gap of Selah are under evacuation orders. The affected zone extends up to 200 feet on each side of the river.
In Naches, a significant section of Highway 12 has been washed away by the river, leading to detours near Bonlow Drive, about a mile from downtown. Steven Hogencamp is on the scene, reporting on the current conditions.
Hogencamp described the situation as severe, with the Washington State Department of Transportation closing the road due to the damage.
Summer Derrey, WSDOT’s public information officer, highlighted the impact on travelers.
“Roughly 12 thousand travelers a day use Highway 12 in Naches,” Derrey said. Earlier in the day, the river’s force was evident, wiping out roughly 60 feet of both lanes.
Derrey emphasized the unseen dangers.
“It’s what’s happening underneath [the highway]. So, the Naches River is eroding the underside of the highway and causing significant damage. So, stopping anywhere in that area, it’s not what you see above, even if the ground looks totally safe. You could definitely there’s the potential to collapse or have a serious injury because of that,” she said.
Elsewhere, the Yakima Greenway is experiencing flooding, with areas typically dry now submerged. Visitors noted the unusual water levels surrounding the area.
Currently, there are no evacuation orders near the Greenway. As for Highway 12, Derrey mentioned that there is no specific timeline for when the detours will end, but efforts are underway to restore the road safely.
For more information on road conditions and detours, check the Washington State Department of Transportation website.
