Pacific residents evacuate amid White River levee failure

Residents in Pacific are evacuating Tuesday morning, Dec. 16, after the HESCO levee failure on the White River.

The Pacific Police Department reports the breach occurred near Pacific City Park and 3rd Ave. SE and Spencer Court/Pacific Ave S.

The National Weather Service reports minor to moderate flooding of the river at the R Street Bridge. According to the weather service, the river is expected to rise above flood stage again late Wednesday evening and fluctuate near that level for several days. Flooding is likely at Government Canal and Butte Avenue in the City of Pacific and downstream of the Stewart Street Bridge in the City of Sumner.

Here’s some shelter information courtesy of the City of Pacific and the City of Auburn:

• The Pacific Senior Center is holding people as a warming center with some cots at 100 3rd Ave. SE.

• Filipino Hall is open as a shelter at 103 6th Ave. N. in Algona.

• The Auburn Community and Event Center in Auburn is also open as a 24-hour emergency shelter at 910 9th St. SE.

Meanwhile, the City of Auburn reports that these roads are now open:

• Northbound Auburn Way North. The right lane is still closed between 49th St. NW and S. 277th St. There is still a strong gas smell in the area as the mitigation work is not yet complete.

• West Valley Highway between 37th St. NW to S. 277th St. It is still closed between W. Main St. and 15th St. NW

• Pike St NE between 8th St. NE and 12th St. NE