Authorities try to determine scope of destruction after flash floods, mudslides in north-central Washington



CHELAN, Wash. -- Flooding and mudslides cut off several highways in spots and damaged at least two homes in north-central Washington Thursday night, the Okanogan County sheriff and the Washington State Patrol said.

Three main roads were closed, blocked or damaged and at least 100 homes were without power said Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.

Highway 20 was completed washed out, Highway 153 sustained significant damage and Highway 97 was blocked at Chiliwist said Rogers Friday morning.



While it was not raining Friday morning many additional side and smaller roads also remain in bad shape.

Rogers said emergency crews still don't know the full extent of the damage.  The first priority is to get the main roads reopened.

Rogers said while they have not heard of any reports of anyone who is trapped or was hurt, both still remain top concerns.

Some cars were trapped on roads.  But it is unclear whether any occupants remain in any of the cars.

The Washington State Patrol said there was a mudslide blocking State Route 97 at milepost 228, about nine miles south of Chelan.

Also, the WSP said State Route 20 from mileposts 205-229 and State Route 153 near milepost 26 were blocked due to floods and mudslides. No injuries have been reported.

The Wenatchee World said homes along SR 153 have been damaged and flooding and debris slides were reported as severe thunderstorms moved across the region.

Sheriff Rogers said two homes were damaged in the Chiliwist area, but crews could not get there because the roads were closed.

He said they don't want people to evacuate because roads are blocked. He said there were no immediate reports of injuries from the slides.

The National Park Service said heavy rains and strong winds hit the Little Bridge Creek, Upper Falls and Carlton Complex fires, causing flash flooding in the Carlton Complex fire area and throughout the incident command post and fire camp.

"All personnel are accounted for and have been provided options for dry places to sleep," it said.

About 500 people are still assigned to the fires, of which just over 100 are staying at the Eight-Mile spike camp, which wasn't impacted by flooding.

People in the area were being advised to move away from recently burned wildfire areas, as heavy rains can trigger slides and debris flows.