Severe Weather Impacts Concrete
On Wednesday morning, sunlight reflected off the mud and moisture covering Concrete, a small town in the Cascade foothills, revealing the recent challenges faced by its residents.
Over the past two weeks, the community endured a series of natural disasters and severe weather events.
Atmospheric rivers brought heavy rainfall to western Washington, leading to unprecedented flooding in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Concrete, situated along Highway 20 in Skagit County, was significantly affected.
The Skagit River reached record-high levels last Thursday, causing flooding in areas near the river, though the downtown area remained dry.
By Wednesday, some homes on the outskirts were still surrounded by water, with levels fluctuating and receding to minor flood stage by Thursday.
Earthquakes and Landslides Add to Woes
Adding to the distress, a series of small earthquakes shook the town on Monday morning, with the strongest measuring magnitude 2.9, as reported by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
The heavy rain triggered three minor mudslides at Burpee Hill, Lake Shannon Road, and Eriksen Place, necessitating evacuations.
Residents, nestled between hills and evergreen trees, expressed fears of more slides, with some recalling the tragic Oso landslide of 2014 that resulted in 43 fatalities after similar conditions.
Efforts are ongoing to survey the slide areas in and around the town.
Local officials stated that geology technicians have not raised concerns about the Burpee Hill and Eriksen Place sites, while county officials inspecting the Lake Shannon Road mudslide were unavailable for comment.
Residents Share Their Stories
Kimi Ward, a 17-year-old, was in her kitchen with her dog when they heard a mudslide at Eriksen Place around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.
"We just heard crashing," Ward said. "My mom is pretty nervous because she's been living here for 30 years. If it were to hit our house, we'd lose everything."
On East Main Street, below the Shannon Lake Road mudslide, households faced evacuation advisories. Casie Jo Manke noted this wasn't the first landslide in her neighborhood, but she felt less concerned this time due to previous reinforcements.
The former owner had strengthened all three walls facing the hill with extra concrete after an earlier slide. Manke mentioned that tennis courts lie buried under a grassy park across the street from that prior event.
Recovery and Ongoing Challenges
Roads to the Burpee Hill mudslide site were closed on Wednesday, with the neighborhood under a Level 3 evacuation notice, indicating immediate danger.
As slide concerns and flood threats diminish, some normalcy is returning to Concrete. Schools resumed on Wednesday, and Ward planned to participate in a basketball game on Lummi Island that evening.
Immediate aid has shifted to other areas, with the National Guard departing on Tuesday and the Red Cross relocating to Everson on Wednesday. Randy Mueller, shelter supervisor, reported that cots in Concrete were empty the previous night.
The aftermath of the storms and flooding continues in northwest Washington, with areas like Sumas, Everson, and Nooksack in Whatcom and Skagit counties still facing severe conditions.
