I-90 Reopens After Hours-Long Closure Due to Mudslide, But Risks Persist
The eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 reopened Tuesday morning after an overnight closure due to a mudslide in North Bend, Washington. The closure was a result of heavy rain and an atmospheric river, which caused a large amount of debris to come down from the hillside and cover the road.
The western Washington region has been inundated by rain due to an atmospheric river, which has caused the dirt to become wet and heavy, increasing the risks of land and mudslides. The Puget Sound lowlands could get as much as six inches of rain through Wednesday, with double that expected at the mountain pass level. This has led to a flood watch being issued for the region, with at least nine rivers forecasted to reach "major" flood stage this week.
The mudslide occurred a few miles east of milepost 34, where the I-90 was closed at around 11:30 p.m. The Washington State Patrol said that this was the most convenient exit to allow drivers to turn around. A spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said that a "large amount of debris" came down from the hillside and covered the road, and that the WSDOT opted to close all the eastbound lanes because it was unknown whether the dirt and mud would continue to slide onto I-90, creating a continuous hazard for drivers.
WSDOT announced that I-90 reopened around 5:30 a.m. However, another road, State Route 10, was also closed due to a landslide on Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service has warned that the potential for landslides and debris flows, especially over burn scars, will increase with the drenching rain.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
