Truckers attempting to move through Washington State, even along its major north/south and east/west routes, are facing lengthy waits or long detours this week as floods close lowland highways across the state and avalanches and mudslides block mountain passes.
As of Wednesday afternoon, all three major east-west mountain pass highways through the Cascade Mountains were closed due to avalanche danger and mudslides, including I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, U.S. 2 over Stevens Pass, and US 97 over Blewett Pass.
In the lowlands, flooding has closed roads in nine counties. Forecasts also indicate that portions of Interstate 5 in Lewis County could be underwater shortly due to flooding along the Chehalis and Cowlitz Rivers. Crews are monitoring the entire corridor and have advised that they will immediately take the necessary measures to close the road if it becomes unsafe for vehicles.
All detour routes from I-5 in Lewis County including SR 7 and SR 12 are already closed. If I-5 closes as expected, the only detour from the area will be Interstate 84. Carriers traveling on I-5 are being advised to exit the Interstate if planning to park and wait out the flooding.
Detailed and updated information is available at the Washington State DOT web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov.
