Many Rescued Monday Night in Brutal NW Storm
Olympia, WashingtonÂ
Working around the clock, the U.S. Coast Guard raced against time to rescue tens of people in storm torn areas in Washington Monday night. Wind, and large amounts of rain have pummeled the area for several days causing flooding and knocking out power to much of the region.
One of the areas worst hit is Western Washington, where two people were left dead and the storm closed major interstate highway I-5. Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire said “we have not seen the worst yet. It has not yet peaked, and we are very concerned with what Mother Nature seems to have for us†said Gregoire on Monday Afternoon.
Working bravely against the elements, Coast Guard Crewmen had rescued sixty-six people, some from various area rooftops, and others from the water. Two CG Helicopters were continuing to perform rescue operations late into the night.
Navy and National Guard Helicopters are also part of the area rescue effort.
Region wide, about one hundred fifty people have been stranded at some point. Half of this number had been successfully rescued by Monday evening. Four Snoqualmie Pass hikers were also air rescued in the region.
About eighty thousand people lost electric power in the Western Washington region.
All eight lanes of interstate highway 5 that passes near Centralia Washington were closed on Monday due to the flood. This is a central route between Portland Oregon and Seattle Washington, and points both north and south. River cresting of the Chehalis River is expected to put the highway under approx. five feet of water said Highway Department Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
