Residents in Concrete, Washington, are facing heightened dangers as the region braces for more rain from an incoming atmospheric river, following two damaging landslides and multiple earthquakes that have already disrupted the community. With a history of severe flooding still fresh in their minds, officials have issued Level 3 evacuation orders for the Eriksen Road neighborhood due to the ongoing risk of landslides, prompting residents to prepare for further potential damage.
The first landslide was reported on December 10, attributed to escalating rainfall, while a second was confirmed four days later. Local resident Monett Bauer, who has lived in Concrete for three decades, described the harrowing experience of the recent landslide as it sent trees and mud tumbling down the hillside, coming alarmingly close to her home. “When we heard it, I thought, when is it going to hit my house?” she recalled, echoing the fears of many in the area.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Skagit County, effective through Thursday afternoon, alongside an existing Flood Warning for the Skagit River, with predictions that it will reach dangerous levels. The river in Concrete is expected to crest at 32.8 feet early Tuesday, followed by another peak at 33.32 feet Wednesday afternoon, both exceeding the major flooding threshold of 32.5 feet. Mount Vernon expects similarly grim forecasts, with projections of up to 32.89 feet.
These alarming forecasts are compounded by saturated soils from previous flooding and expected strong winds, creating a volatile mix for potential landslides, fallen trees, and power outages. The Army Corps of Engineers is actively managing water flow from Ross Dam and Upper Baker Dam, but officials have expressed that there are limitations to how much they can control. “We are using available storage space in these reservoirs to reduce the peak flow level downstream,” said Kyle Comanor, emphasizing the challenge of managing such unprecedented weather conditions.
As the community rallies to prepare for the worst, residents are testing generators, packing emergency bags, and some families have already opted to evacuate. Bauer, who works for the local school district, reflected on the pervasive anxiety in the face of ongoing natural threats, as school was canceled following an earthquake that further complicated the region’s recovery efforts.
“Every foot of river rise can mean the difference between a flooded basement and a destroyed home,” officials noted, underlining the high stakes for those living in low-lying areas. For individuals like Bauer, who has poured her savings into her mortgage-free home that she considers the result of a lifetime of hard work, the looming threat of landslides and floods is especially distressing due to insurance limitations that exclude coverage for such disasters.
As Concrete residents continue to monitor the situation closely, the sense of unity and resilience in the face of adversity remains a beacon of hope. Community members are banding together to ensure their safety and preparedness as they navigate this challenging weather crisis, determined to safeguard their homes and livelihoods against further natural calamity.