City of Auburn officials issued Level 3 evacuation orders late Saturday night for some homes and businesses as the Green River continues to swell, continuing this week's catastrophic floods in Washington.
The order reflects the highest level of evacuation guidance, instructing people to go now.
North Auburn residents and businesses below South 277th Street, east of State Route 167, west of the Green River, and north of 42nd Street Northeast — including the Trail Run community, Copper Gate apartments and surrounding neighborhoods — should leave the area immediately, according to a message from the city's emergency management teams.
A few areas in Kent are also being evacuated, including from the Green River to South 277th Street; State Route 167 to Union Pacific Railroad; some areas west of State Route 167; and 68th Avenue South or West Valley Highway, according to King County emergency management. Level 3 orders are also in place for parts of unincorporated King County: north of 277th Street, south of the Green River, and east of State Route 167.
Conditions are dangerous and access routes are vanishing due to severe and rapidly worsening flooding," Auburn officials said in the alert. Vanishing access routes include Auburn Way North, I Street Northeast and State Route 167.
They instructed people to move south along "any of the normal routes." Those in the Trail Run community should evacuate east on South 277th Street toward Lea Hill then move north.
Officials reminded people to take essential items only, including medication and medical supplies, important documents, pets and pet supplies, phone chargers and other necessities.
The alert cautioned against driving or walking through standing or moving water as well as driving around barricades or road closures. Officials warned that floodwaters are currently pushing further into roadways and neighborhoods.
Some roads are already closed, including: 49th Street Northwest and B Street Northwest; both lanes of northbound Auburn Way North between 49th and South 277th Street; and South 277th Street between Auburn Way North and 108th Avenue, among others.
The city has opened two locations for those who need a place to shelter: the Auburn Community and Event Center (910 Ninth Street S.E.) and the Ray of Hope center (2806 Auburn Way N.).
If you need emergency evacuation assistance, call 911, city officials urged.
"City crews are working around the clock with regional partners to slow flooding; however, there is no guarantee these efforts will hold," the alert message said. "Conditions are dangerous and can change rapidly.
Visit auburnwa.gov/flood for maps, shelter information and more flooding information.
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