Snohomish County Tribune Newspapers

12/19/2025

Memorial vigil to remember those who died while homeless this year is this evening----
This year’s vigil begins Friday, Dec. 19 starting at 5:15 p.m. at the County Campus, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. People come to remember and mourn. Look for a podium. Seating is along the steps.
For more information on the vigil, see this story:

People come to stand solemnly, and to mourn. The ceremony is done with a traditional public gathering outdoors to have people acknowledge feeling winter’s sharp chill.

12/19/2025

SNOHOMISH -- The Old Snohomish-Monroe Road remains closed to access at Snohomish at Lincoln Avenue, from a spot check this morning.

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Main phone: 360-568-4121 Mail: 605 Second St., Suite 224, Snohomish, WA 98290 Office: 605 Second St., Suite 224, Snohomish, WA 98290

12/18/2025

Flood damage dispatches from the state related to Leavenworth and access to Leavenworth---

U.S. 2 cleanup work west of Leavenworth hampered

By Kevin Teeter
Murrow News Fellow / KHQ-TV

WENATCHEE – Heavy wind, rain and snow Tuesday into Wednesday further delayed cleanup efforts to U.S. 2 as many sections of the road were still covered in water, making it impossible to fully assess the damage, a state transportation official said.

"We don't really have a full estimated timeline," said Lauren Loebsack, a WSDOT communications manager, said, "but it is going to be a longer-term closure."

The damage is better known near Stevens Pass, which likely means repairs will be done in this area sooner. Meanwhile, Chumstick Highway outside Leavenworth is an alternative route to bypass the closed Tumwater Canyon section of U.S. 2.

For now, the fastest alternative for most travel is Interstate 90 to U.S. 97 across Blewett Pass.

(The Tribune checked conditions this evening and Blewett Pass is open.)

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Leavenworth dampened by U.S. 2 access closure

By Renee Diaz
Wenatchee World / NWPB

LEAVENWORTH – The storm has cast a damper on a Chelan County town most famous for its Bavarian holiday flavor, given what is expected to be a months-long closure of a 49-mile stretch of U.S. 2. The highly trafficked road between Skykomish and Leavenworth is likely to impact residents, tourists and skiers for months.

“The economic impact is huge because this is a prime time,” Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea told reporter Renee Diaz. “We're known as Christmas Town, USA. We know that for our downtown businesses, it’s (when) a large chunk of their sales happen. Christmas is a huge time for retail in general … certainly, we’re no different.”

Leavenworth suffered massive damage that left much of the mountain town of 2,200 without power for more than three days, with power finally restored Saturday. “So many trees were down that, basically, most of our streets were impassable. Some people have basically had their homes destroyed, or had such major damage that they’re unlivable,” Florea said.

— Reporting by reporters with the Murrow News Fellowship. The Murrow Local News Fellowship program, fielding 16 reporters in state newsrooms, is administered by Washington State University and underwritten by taxpayers.

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12/17/2025

12/15/2025

MORE WATERS EXPECTED-

12/15/2025

SUNDAY P.M., updated: HIGHWAY 9 IN SNOHOMISH REOPENS--- AVENUE D BRIDGE REOPENS--- SNOHOMISH VALLEY FARM STATES OF SPOTTING LOOTERS, VANDALISM DURING FLOOD CLOSURE--- LOWELL-SNOHOMISH RIVER ROAD FLOODED, DRIVERS WHO IGNORE CLOSURE SIGNS STILL CAUSING RESCUES---

SNOHOMISH -- As waters receded Saturday and Sunday, this afternoon both Highway 9 at Marsh Road and the Avenue D bridge in Snohomish over the river have reopened.
The Avenue D bridge was checked by engineers before re-opening, Snohomish Police shared in their announcement.
The Lowell-Snohomish River Road, which has been flooded, attracted drivers who pressed their luck and lost this weekend. Fire crews had to respond to more than incident of vehicles getting stuck in the water. In one case, they rescued two adults and two kittens.

National Guard troops are activated as part of the aid response.

SNOHOMISH VALLEY FARM STATES OF SPOTTING LOOTERS, VANDALISM DURING FLOOD CLOSURE
On Saturday, a report came out of people who have a farm property off of Marsh Road encountering looters who had kayaked or boated to their property, and N**i sw****ka vandalism painted on at least one of their buildings, according what they said in a video interview by independent journalist Mark Horner.
Later that night, Horner took down this video, explaining in a separate video that the interview happened while the farmers were at a raw moment of their life. They had boated over check on the property when they painfully saw the looted scene and distressful vandalism, and had just come back to shore at the time when they agreed to speak on camera.
Horner's explanation is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjTxbGhN8N8&lc=Ugz62ehRgTB1QWg41vZ4AaABAg
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office confirmed by press release of the incident and called it an active investigation.
Deputies also received word of several people launching boats and kayaks in a closed off area near Marsh Road and Lowell Larimer Road.
The newspaper believes the reported looting is newsworthy, however it is choosing not to name the farm.

RESCUES ALONG LOWELL-SNOHOMISH RIVER ROAD
Fire crews in Snohomish had to respond at least to two separate incidents in the past 48 hours where people drove past barriers to use the Lowell-Snohomish River Road.
In one of these incidents, two men who were rescued found their vehicle stranded in three feet of water, Fire District 4 reported.

U.S. 2 UNPASSABLE
The Wenatchee River has sunk a portion of the U.S. 2 Highway toward Leavenworth.
"Cross-state travel is not possible via US2 over Stevens Pass and motorists are advised to use an alternate route," WSDOT warns.
"US 2 is closed from milepost 50 near Skykomish to milepost 99 at Leavenworth."

SNOHOMISH SCHOOLS OPEN MONDAY
The Snohomish School District announced school will be open Monday.
". Families who live near affected roads should plan for alternate transportation to/from school as needed. Flood and inclement weather bus routes and schedules are available at www.sno.wednet.edu/snowroutes and through Traversa My Ride K-12," the district said in an announcement.

Photo courtesy WSDOT:

12/14/2025

Happy to report the flood waters have receded enough that Elliott road is open!🙌

12/13/2025

A message from Mayor Russell Wiita to the Sultan community:

As flood waters recede and our community moves into recovery and cleanup, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who stepped up during this challenging time. Our community knows how to respond to flooding and this event showed that. We are resilient even in the face of near-historic flooding.

First, I want to sincerely thank Chief Seth Johnson and Fire District 5 for their outstanding partnership and for the use of Station 51 as our Emergency Operation Center during this event. Their support was essential to our ability to respond quickly, coordinate effectively, and keep our community informed and safe.

I also extend my deep appreciation to our firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, and school partners for their efforts to keep our community safe during the flooding.

To our city staff, thank you for your tireless efforts during long days before, during, and after the high water. From emergency response to cleanup, your dedication and professionalism are deeply valued and recognized by our community.

I want to thank the many volunteers who gave their time, energy, and compassion to help those in need. This week, community members came out to help fill and place sandbags, get people to safety, and cleanup after the flood. The willingness of these volunteers to step up reflects the very best of our community.

Finally, I want to recognize the strong partner coordination that made our response to this event possible. As I enter my seventh year as Sultan’s mayor, I have never seen collaboration among local public agencies work as smoothly as it did this week. Communication between the City of Sultan, Fire District 5, the Sultan Police Department/Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the Sultan School District, and Snohomish County PUD was consistent, timely, and effective, allowing each agency to make informed decisions that best served our community. Our residents should expect their local government agencies to work well together, and this week, they did exactly that. Thank you to all our partners for their outstanding response to this flood event.

While cleanup continues, the strength, cooperation, and resilience shown over the past few days reminds us how fortunate we are to live in a community that comes together when it matters most. Thank you all for your service, partnership, and care for one another.

Mayor Russell Wiita

12/12/2025

FRIDAY P.M.: FLOODWATERS LINGER IN SNOHOMISH--- SNOHOMISH WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OK--- PRESIDENT APPROVES WASHINGTON STATE REQUEST FOR FEDERAL AID--- VALLEY D**E SAID TO HOLD--- BRIDGES OK----

SNOHOMISH -- Floodwater has stuck around, filling the Snohomish River Valley and still pooled at the end of Lincoln Avenue.
In other news, today Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that President Trump's office approved the state's request to make an emergency declaration of need. FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have been authorized to give aid.
The Snohomish River rose to a peak of 34.15 feet at Snohomish Thursday* afternoon, nine feet above major flood stage.

The Old Snohomish-Monroe Road remained closed at 127th Avenue SE. Deep water has covered the road a short distance past 127th Avenue where the land dips into the farming valley past the Lord Hill area's homes.
Dairyland's John Beal said that the barn and the brewery are OK at Treosti Road and Old Snohomish-Monroe Road, but he thinks it got in the house. He's anxious for the floodwater to clear away so he can turn the lights back on and get opened again as soon as possible. He's hoping this weekend.
Anything portable got moved out ahead of time, he said.
His big praise is that the earthen d**e along the river held steady after more than 36 hours of overtopping.
"I think our d**e management has gotten better and better," Beal said.
Beal said the water was deeper in the flood of January 2009. There was a d**e breach that year, he said.
On the opposite side at the river, waters still stood where Nevers Road ends at Shorts School Road. Everything east of there appeared to be flooded.
Valley residents with boats have been checking on their sites. Neighbors have gathered to look and offer help.
One family worried about their chickens.
Todd Bygd, who works at Dairyland, said he's never seen the river this high in more than 10 years.

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CITY IMPACTS TO BE ASSESSED, WASTEWATER PLANT OK
The City of Snohomish is waiting for water to recede to look at its parks and facilities. The public works yard was inundated, and parks such as Pilchuck Park went underwater.
The wastewater treatment plant is still in good condition, city spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.
Officials re-visited the flood scene at the end of Lincoln Avenue this morning.
They are documenting everything.
The city plans to issue information on how to get help for households and small businesses impacted by floodwater.

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BRIDGE OK
Drone footage published on the Internet of a "Jordan Creek Bridge" that's collapsed over the Skagit River is not the same bridge as the one in Snohomish County, county public works officials confirm. The Skagit River does not enter Snohomish County to the Tribune's knowledge. The Jordan Creek Bridge that is in the county was fully rebuilt and finished this fall.
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FEMA AID
With the state's federal disaster aid request approved Friday, FEMA's office announced that it will do what it can for state disaster relief efforts and has assigned a coordinator.
"FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency," the agency said. "Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding."
The eligible areas across Washington are within Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom and Yakima counties, the Samish Indian Nation and all other Tribal Nations.
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SNOHOMISH DOWNTOWN OK
Fake images of Snohomish's downtown being flooded over are... fake. The Tribune saw most of First Street and can confirm businesses are OK. The Tribune also noticed a fake AI image depicting flooding at Lincoln Avenue worse than it actually is.

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LOCAL ROAD CLOSURES include
* A large portion of the Old Snohomish-Monroe Road toward Snohomish.
* On the Everett side of Lowell-Snohomish Road (Lowell-Larimer Road is an alternative)
* Snohomish on/off-ramps to Highway 9 at Second Street
* Western end of First Street from Avenue E to Second Street
* Portion of Ben Howard Road (Monroe) and portion of Tualco Road (Monroe)
* Highway 203 (Monroe) from Ben Howard Road to High Rock Road
* U.S. 2 east of Skykomish and west of Leavenworth, both directions. WSDOT announced in the 5 o'clock hour that it reopened the highway segment between Index and Skykomish.
* Fern Bluff Road (Sultan) between U.S. 2 and the railroad tracks
* Portion of Riverview Road, Snohomish
* Portion of Home Acres Road in Snohomish
* More road closures can be found from a Snohomish County government website here: https://bit.ly/SnoCoRoadsClosedMap
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STATE-VERIFIED WAYS TO DONATE TO FLOOD RELIEF
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs announced a fundraising campaign and the creation of a state flood relief donation portal.
General members of the public can use a secure link to make an online donation by credit card at https://give.wa.gov/events/?2025-wa-state-floods
Currently, the webpage allows people to select between the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and a Whatcom County organization on where to direct their donation.
State employees and state retirees can make a contribution through their payroll. A link for state employees to do that can be found on the same webpage.

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*-corrected-- The peak was Thursday afternoon. Today is Friday. Forgive us.
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Past major floods and their countywide impacts
(Compiled from Tribune archives)
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• The Jan. 8, 2009 flood crested 33.47 feet and caused more than $15 million in damage.
• The 2006 Election Day flood crested 33.49 feet and caused about $20 million in damage.
• The flood in 1990 marks the recent record holder at 33.5 feet at the Snohomish River.
In the 2009 flood, levees along the Snohomish River and French Slough overtopped, and levees along the Pilchuck River were tested. Volunteers and crews stabilized the levee to prevent the serious risk of it being breached.
The 2009 flood damaged 2,000 feet of Highway 9 in the valley and also caused a break
to the water transmission line from the Pilchuck River in Granite Falls. (The river was being used for part of the city’s drinking water until the late 2010s.)
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How to gauge:
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The Snohomish River water gauges in Snohomish and Monroe differ in phases of flood severity based on the river’s level. In Snohomish, the river enters a phase two flood risk with river levels of 25 feet, causing overflow onto Old Snohomish-Monroe Road. Phase three starts at 27 feet, and there is over-topping onto Riverview Road, Rivershore Road and Lowell-Snohomish River Road at 29 feet. Stage four is when the water level is 30 feet and higher, with the river near the top of all the levees. At 31 feet, major flooding starts along Riverview Road, Rivershore Road and the Ebey Slough levee. (From Tribune archives/compiled by prior reporter Jake Berg)
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Friday photos by Tribune staff