Flooding closes several Renton roads, Maple Valley Highway

Thursday flooding of May Creek and Cedar River from rain closed streets in Renton and nearby unincorporated King County.

By Haley Ausbun • February 6, 2020 1:30 am
Photo by Haley Ausbun. The Cedar River was high as several streets in and near Renton faced closures due to flooding, Thursday, Feb. 6.
Photo by Haley Ausbun. The Cedar River was high as several streets in and near Renton faced closures due to flooding, Thursday, Feb. 6.

More minor mudslides, and severe flooding of the Cedar River, closed streets in Renton and State Route 169, Maple Valley Highway, Thursday, Feb. 6.

Two of three lanes westbound on Maple Valley Highway are closed, 200 yards east of Shari’s and Interstate-405. Officials advise avoiding the route.

May Creek rose over Nile Avenue Northeast, northbound at 26th Street, and May Valley Road, southbound, closing the roads by mid-day. These roads may remain closed overnight, according to the city.

Logan Avenue North and Park Avenue North were also experiencing some water over the roads, requiring driver caution, but remained open.

Renton Police Department advised these roads should be avoided, highly recommending avoiding Maple Valley Highway which was likely to see congestion from road closures. The road will be closed 200 yards east of Shari’s restaurant, police stated in an update around noon Thursday.

Renton School District alerted families that no school hours or activities are being impacted by flooding, but bus routes for Lindbergh High School, McKnight and Nelsen middle schools and Sartori, Talbot Hill and Tiffany Park elementary schools are greatly impacted by the Maple Valley Highway closures.

Renton firefighters tweeted out that crews were monitoring the conditions of the Cedar River and would prepare for any flood threat to neighborhoods. The Cedar River is at Phase Four flooding, according to police. This means severe flooding that could overtake Maple Valley Highway and side roads surrounding the river. Debris from mudslides on Wednesday continued to cause concern Thursday as well.

Officials advise residents monitor King County, city of Renton and Renton Police Department social media to check for additional flooding and street closures.

Free sandbag materials (empty sandbags and sand) are available at the King County roads facility, located at 20827 SE Auburn-Black Diamond Road. Limit is 25 bags per vehicle. Other distribution locations can be found at kingcounty.gov/flood. County road closure information is available at bit.ly/KC_Commute.