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Rising Rivers Threaten Airports in Washington

Pilots and volunteers scramble to protect property.

The Snohomish River flooding in 2006.
Snohomish River flooding in 2006 [Credit: Walter Siegmund/Wikimedia Commons]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Heavy rains are causing significant flooding in Washington state, prompting helicopter rescues in the Skagit River Valley and advisories for residents to move to higher ground as the river is expected to crest.
  • Several airports, including Harvey Field (Snohomish) and Renton Airport, are directly impacted by or bracing for floodwaters; Harvey Field saw volunteers moving aircraft as a levee overflowed, while Renton Airport remains operational despite warnings of major flooding and perimeter road closures.
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Flooding caused by heavy rains continues in Washington state. Several airports located near rivers are bracing for rising water, while others are being used as staging areas for rescues.

As of Thursday morning a temporary flight restriction was in place over the Skagit River Valley near the community of Sedro Woolley. Local law enforcement are using helicopters to save people who became trapped by the swiftly rising Skagit River.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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