Auburn flood updates: “We’re not out of this storm yet,” mayor says

Road closures, river information and more.

By Reporter Staff • December 11, 2025 4:50 pm

Tags: flooding

The Auburn area continues to see flooding from the Green River and White River as a result of the atmospheric river weather system that has soaked Western Washington this week.

Local road closures as of Thursday afternoon (Dec. 11):

• West Valley Highway just north of Main Street is closed. Water over the roadway has caused the city of Kent to close the West Valley Highway (aka 68th Avenue South) between Frager Road and South 277th Street.

• Green River Road SE between 100th Ave. SE and the Auburn city limits.

• D St. NE between 49th St. NE and S. 277th St. and between Auburn Way N. and I St. NE.

• S. 277th St. between Auburn Way N. and 108th Ave. SE.

• Stewart Bridge in Sumner.

• State Route 18 is closed in both directions from the SR 18 / I-90 interchange (milepost 28) to Issaquah-Hobart Road SE (milepost 20).

The rivers

• According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the White River’s water flow appears to have peaked. The City of Auburn reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began reducing flows from Mud Mountain Dam overnight on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and the Corps is planning controlled releases of water as river levels drop.

• Meanwhile, the NOAA predicts another rise in water flow and a return to phase 4 flooding for the Green River with a crest predicted in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 13.

From the mayor

In a social media post Thursday, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus thanked emergency crews, neighbors and anyone else who has been working through this week’s historic flooding.

“It’s hard to fully capture in writing what we’re living through right now. The rain we’ve seen over these last several days is historic – and for many, it’s much more: it’s scary, exhausting and unforgiving. Please know that we see you, and we’re working right alongside you to keep our community safe,” Backus posted. “We’re not out of this storm yet and today could bring even higher water levels and flooding across the region. I am hoping and praying for the best, and our teams are actively planning and preparing for whatever comes.”

Info

For more updates, visit auburnwa.gov/flood or call the city’s non-emergency line at 253-288-2121.