UPDATE: December 13, 2025 11:37 a.m.
Repairs to the damaged portions of Highway 12 near Naches around 10:30 a.m., according to the Naches Fire Department.
Washington State Department of Transportation is directing the repairs and multiple contractors are working on-site. Large boulders are being brought in from multiple sources, according to the fire department.
Construction is expected to last several weeks, the fire department said.
During construction, the detour into Bonlow Drive will remain in place and WSDOT flaggers will assist with traffic near the elementary school.
The fire department issued a reminder that the speed limit when children are not present is 30 miles per hour and that there is no passing on the road with the double yellow line.
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.
Article originally published December 11, 2025 6:54 a.m.
