As torrential rains battered Western Washington over the weekend, communities along the Green River and beyond found themselves at the epicenter of a historic flooding crisis. In Auburn, Washington, the situation turned dire on Saturday night, December 14, 2025, when a Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation order was issued for multiple neighborhoods as floodwaters surged and conditions rapidly deteriorated. Residents and business owners in the affected areas—stretching south of S 277th St., east of SR 167, west of the Green River, and north of 42nd St. NE—were told in no uncertain terms: leave immediately or risk being trapped.
The Trail Run community, Copper Gate Apartments, and several surrounding neighborhoods were included in the urgent evacuation zone. According to city notifications, “Do not wait. Leave now,” was the clear message, as access routes were quickly becoming impassable. Emergency officials underscored the seriousness of the threat, warning, “Turn around, don’t drown,” and strongly advising against driving or walking through floodwaters. For those needing a safe place to go, shelters were swiftly established at the Auburn Community and Event Center on 9th St. SE and the Ray of Hope on Auburn Way N.
On Sunday, the crisis showed little sign of abating. Residents on both the east and west sides of the Green River—specifically those south of 24th St. NE and north of 4th St. NE—were placed under a Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation notice, meaning they needed to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. City officials reported that floodwaters had already reached the doors of some homes on the river’s east side and were inching ever closer to residences on the west.
“Conditions are rapidly changing and could deteriorate without warning,” city officials cautioned, urging everyone to monitor updates and not delay if the order to leave came again. The advice was clear: take only what’s essential—medications, vital documents, pets, and phone chargers—and avoid any temptation to salvage more. For those in need of emergency evacuation help, calling 911 was recommended.
The flooding chaos was not limited to residential neighborhoods. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, State Route 167—a major artery between Kent and Auburn—was shuttered in both directions on December 14, with no estimate for reopening. The closure stretched from South 212th Street to 15th Street NW, as standing water rendered the highway and multiple on- and off-ramps impassable. The southbound SR 167 on-ramps from South 212th Street, 84th Avenue South/Central Avenue North, and SR 516, as well as the northbound ramps from SR 18, 15th Street Northwest, and South 277th Street, were all closed. The Green and White Rivers, swollen with rain from the atmospheric river system, continued to rise, compounding the region’s transportation woes.
The atmospheric river—a weather phenomenon known for transporting vast amounts of moisture from the tropics—had unleashed a deluge across Western Washington. Several communities near the Green River were still under evacuation orders as of December 15, with catastrophic flooding ongoing. Local authorities described the event as unprecedented, with water levels rising faster than many residents had ever seen.
Governor Ferguson took to the airwaves and social media to stress the gravity of the crisis and the necessity of heeding official evacuation orders. “We just ask for their patience with that, to be vigilant and to really listen to those evacuation orders,” Ferguson stated, emphasizing that the safety of residents was paramount. Emergency evacuations had already been carried out for 250 people, and while no deaths had been reported as of Sunday evening, the situation remained critical and unpredictable.
Meanwhile, in Orting—another flood-prone community in the region—setback levees built along the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers were put to the test. Unlike past events, when levee breaches led to devastating property damage, this time the barriers largely held. Mayor-elect Scott Drennen credited the levees with saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential property losses, though he acknowledged that water did crest over portions of the levee in some areas. “There is still room for improvement,” Drennen remarked, but overall, the levees performed better than in previous floods and far better than many other parts of Western Washington during this storm.
U.S. House Representative Kim Schrier highlighted the federal response, mentioning ongoing efforts to secure the maximum possible FEMA assistance for emergency recovery and future flood mitigation. Schrier also pointed to the crucial role of setback levees and conservation districts in managing flood risk, advocating for continued investment in these protective measures.
For the thousands affected, the past days have been a blur of uncertainty, anxiety, and quick decisions. The City of Auburn, in coordination with regional partners and emergency crews, worked around the clock to shore up flood defenses and provide real-time updates. Yet, officials were candid about the limits of their efforts. “City crews and regional partners are working tirelessly, but there is no guarantee that flood control efforts will succeed,” the city’s statement read. The message was clear: nature’s power can overwhelm even the best-laid plans, and personal safety must come first.
As the Green River and White River continued to swell, many residents found themselves navigating not just rising water, but also the emotional toll of displacement and uncertainty. The advice from authorities remained steadfast: don’t risk your life for possessions, stay informed, and be prepared to move quickly if conditions worsen. For those who stayed behind, the sight of water lapping at doorsteps and the sound of emergency sirens served as a constant reminder of how quickly circumstances can change.
In the aftermath of this historic flood, the region faces a lengthy recovery. Roads like SR 167 must be inspected and repaired, homes and businesses cleaned and restored, and communities supported as they process the upheaval of the past days. Yet, amid the turmoil, stories of neighborly support and effective emergency response have emerged, offering glimmers of hope and resilience.
For now, Western Washington remains vigilant, watching the skies and the rivers, and waiting for the waters to recede. The lessons learned from this event—about preparedness, infrastructure, and the unpredictability of nature—will undoubtedly shape the region’s approach to future storms.
