Leavenworth is under water tonight. The Wenatchee River surged past 16 feet, spilling into streets, homes, and businesses. Whole blocks lost power as floodwaters cut access and undercut roads. I am on the ground and can confirm widespread damage, fast water, and limited travel across the Upper Valley. This is a life safety event.
What is happening now
An exceptional atmospheric river parked over the Cascades and wrung out up to 10 inches of rain. That moisture pushed the Wenatchee and Icicle systems to dangerous levels. Leavenworth and Cashmere are seeing the worst flooding in years. Chelan County declared a local emergency on December 11. The Governor followed with a statewide emergency, with National Guard crews staging for high water rescues and evacuations if needed.
Nearly 11,000 customers in Chelan County remain in the dark. Multiple feeders are down. Poles and lines are inaccessible behind flooded rights of way. A falling tree injured a driver near Leavenworth earlier this week, a stark reminder of the risks in saturated ground and high winds.
What you need to know now:
- Stay off flooded roads. Turn around, do not drive into water.
- Expect power to be out for many neighborhoods through tonight.
- The East Leavenworth Road bridge is closed due to erosion and high water.
- Temporary shelters are open at designated community sites in Leavenworth and Cashmere. Follow county alerts for locations.
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Floodwater is moving fast, cold, and full of debris. Keep children and pets away from rivers, creeks, and culverts.
Safety and closures
The East Leavenworth Road bridge near the National Fish Hatchery is closed. Crews report erosion at the abutments and high velocity flow against the structure. Other low spots on county roads are barricaded. Obey all closures. Do not move signs. Detours are posted by road crews. Major highways may see brief closures for debris removal as runoff continues.
City staff and volunteers are directing drivers away from standing water in downtown. Storm drains are overwhelmed. If you must travel, keep it essential only. Expect longer routes and spotty cell service in canyons.
Power is out across large parts of Leavenworth, Peshastin, and Cashmere. Utility crews are assessing damage in 13 separate outage zones. Work will proceed in stages, starting with transmission and main feeders. There is no firm restoration timeline. Access and safety control the schedule.
If you are without power, unplug sensitive electronics, keep refrigerator doors closed, and use generators outdoors only. Never run a generator in a garage or near windows.
County emergency managers have opened warming and charging centers and are directing evacuees to staffed shelters. If you need transport, call the county hotline or notify a first responder. Bring medications, ID, and basic supplies if you can do so safely.
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Why this storm hit so hard
This was not a typical winter rain. An atmospheric river carried deep tropical moisture straight into the Cascades. Warm air raised the snow line high, so rain fell on existing snow. That adds runoff quickly, which swells rivers in hours, not days. With soils already saturated, almost nothing soaked in.
In a warmer climate, the air holds more water. When these plumes arrive, they can dump record rain over short windows. The Pacific Northwest has seen a rise in the intensity of top-end storms. Today’s flooding fits that pattern, which stresses levees, roads, and the power grid.
Expect more extreme rain events in future winters. Updating flood maps, elevating critical roads, and restoring floodplains will lower risk.
What happens next
Runoff from the high country will keep rivers high into the short term. Crews will work through the night where it is safe. The priority is life safety, then restoring access, then bringing back power.
I am seeing sandbag operations around key buildings and pump trucks clearing backed-up water. Volunteer networks are checking on seniors and people with medical needs. Hotels are offering space to displaced families. This community knows how to respond in a pinch.
If you are safe and have capacity, check on neighbors. Share verified updates from county channels and the city. Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. Document damage with photos once the water recedes, not during peak flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe to travel to Leavenworth right now?
A: Nonessential travel is discouraged. Several roads are flooded or closed. Expect detours and limited services.
Q: When will power be restored?
A: There is no firm timeline. Crews are repairing transmission first, then feeders and neighborhoods. Some areas may be out through at least tonight.
Q: Where can I go if I need to evacuate?
A: County emergency management has opened staffed shelters and warming centers in the Upper Valley. Follow official alerts and direction from first responders for the nearest site.
Q: How long will flooding last?
A: Rivers remain dangerous while runoff continues from the Cascades. Levels should ease once rain ends and upstream flows recede, but banks may be unstable.
Q: Why are atmospheric rivers getting worse?
A: Warmer air holds more moisture. When strong plumes arrive, they can deliver heavier rainfall, especially when rain falls on snow.
This is a tough night for Leavenworth, but it is not the last word. The water will drop. Power will return. We will learn from this, rebuild smarter, and prepare for the next big storm. Stay safe, stay informed, and look out for one another.
