A levee breach in Tukwila, Washington, has caused a flash flood warning and evacuation in the Seattle suburbs, impacting over 45,000 residents as water levels rise due to ongoing atmospheric rivers and heavy rain, with emergency responses underway and flood watches in effect for the region.
A severe winter weather pattern is affecting the US, with cold temperatures across the East and heavy rain in the Pacific Northwest, raising flood concerns and bringing widespread cold alerts.
A weekend storm brought heavy snow to the Northeast and frigid temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast, causing airport delays and hazardous road conditions, while the Pacific Northwest faces more rain after recent flooding.
The Pacific Northwest is experiencing an influx of climate migrants fleeing environmental risks like droughts, wildfires, and flooding in other regions, prompting experts to advise the area to prepare for population growth and increased climate resilience, emphasizing community strength as a key factor.
A new craft flour mill on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon is providing economic hope for local wheat farmers and Native communities by creating jobs and establishing a local market for wheat, helping to diversify an economy heavily reliant on exports and traditional industries amid challenging trade conditions.
Thieves stole over $1 million worth of rare 10-year-old Garryana whiskey from Westland Distillery in Washington, involving a sophisticated fraud scheme. The stolen bottles are highly recognizable and rare, making resale difficult, and the distillery is cooperating with authorities while focusing on customer service. The incident highlights the challenges of secondary market sales and the value of provenance for craft spirits.
A severe heat wave across the Western U.S. has caused record-high temperatures, increased wildfire risks, and health warnings, affecting over 30 million people in states like California, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, with some areas experiencing their hottest days of the year.
Kroger announced the permanent closure of approximately 60 stores across the U.S. over the next 18 months to improve financial performance, with no specific stores in Washington listed; the closures are part of a broader strategy to reinvest savings into customer experience, and affected employees will be offered roles at other stores. Despite store closures, Kroger reported strong first-quarter profits of $866 million, boosting its stock price.
Donald Trump withdrew the US from a historic salmon recovery agreement in the Pacific Northwest, citing concerns over 'radical environmentalism,' which has been criticized by tribes and conservationists as a setback for salmon and ecological health, despite plans to invest over $1 billion in recovery efforts and clean energy projects.
President Trump withdrew from a Biden-era agreement aimed at resolving legal disputes with Native American tribes over dams on the Snake River, which are blamed for declining salmon populations. The move reverses efforts to study dam breaching and restore fish populations, leading to criticism from tribes and Democrats, and praise from opponents who favor maintaining the dams for energy and economic reasons.
Scientists warn that the Axial Seamount off Oregon's coast is on the verge of erupting, with signs of increased pressure and seismic activity, but it poses no threat to humans due to its deep location. A live camera and monitoring systems have been set up to observe the eruption in real-time, which could release millions of tons of lava and produce significant seismic activity underwater.
A map shows that on May 27, 2025, the northern lights will be visible in 16 U.S. states, including Oregon, due to solar activity during solar cycle 25, with clear weather expected in parts of the Pacific Northwest.
Orcas in the Northwest Pacific have revived a peculiar behavior from the 1980s, wearing dead salmon on their heads, a trend not seen since 1987. Researchers are unsure why this behavior has resurfaced, but speculate it may be linked to high food availability, as the region is currently abundant with chum salmon. This behavior, considered a "fad," may involve orcas saving food for later. The use of drones could provide new insights into this phenomenon, though the exact motivation remains a mystery.
An atmospheric river has brought heavy rainfall and flooding to California and the Pacific Northwest, causing significant disruptions and damage in the region.
Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are experiencing severe weather due to a powerful bomb cyclone and atmospheric river, leading to heavy rain, potential flooding, and mountain snow. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a high risk for excessive rainfall, with up to 16 inches possible in some areas. The storm has already caused landslides and power outages, and another low-pressure system may bring further adverse weather. Residents are advised to prepare for hazardous conditions as the region faces saturated soils and rising river levels.