Chelan County has declared a state of emergency following a series of intense wind and rain storms that have resulted in significant flooding throughout the region. The emergency declaration, approved by Commissioner Shon Smith on Wednesday, allows for swift mobilization of local resources to address the crisis.
As a consequence of the severe weather conditions, numerous roads have been obstructed by debris, and several bridges and highways are now closed. Many areas are facing substantial flooding, isolating communities and impacting residents severely.
Among the hardest-hit areas is Stehekin, where the water treatment plant has been completely destroyed, leaving the town without access to essential services. Roads leading to and from Stehekin Landing remain inaccessible. Similarly, the city of Leavenworth is witnessing flooding across various neighborhoods, while public works crews in Cashmere are actively engaged in efforts to prevent further inundation on Riverfront Drive.
In a show of community solidarity, the Cashmere High School Football Team has stepped up to assist with filling sandbags to combat the rising waters of the Wenatchee River. Volunteers are urgently needed at a trailer park located at 7900 Stine Hill Road to help fill sandbags as the river approaches dangerous levels.
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Christ Center Church in Cashmere to support those displaced by the flooding. Meanwhile, Chelan PUD is working to restore power to over 9,700 households currently without electricity due to storm damage.
The state of emergency not only streamlines the local government’s response efforts, bypassing the standard bidding process for necessary resources, but also serves as a crucial step towards accessing state and federal recovery assistance funding, allowing the community to begin rebuilding as quickly as possible. Despite the challenges, the resilience and cooperation of the residents and local organizations offer hope for recovery in the coming days.