Traffic & Transit
Mudslides, Flooded Roads Force Closures Across Pierce County
At least 2 mudslides and several instances of water on the roadway have officials warning drivers to take alternate routes Tuesday morning.
SUMNER, WA — Pierce County commuters were in for a rude awakening Tuesday morning, as the recent heavy rains and wild weather have forced a number of road closures across the region.
The most dramatic closure is east of Graham, where a pair of mudslides have blocked Orville Road E from Brooks Road E to 264th St. E and between 312th St. E and Highway 161. There is no ETA on when the road may reopen.
Nearby, in Edgewood, another mudslide briefly blocked Chrisella Road for about an hour. It has since been reopened.
Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Outside of mudslides, there have been several other closures caused by water on roadways. A large swath of SR-167 has been completely closed.
Here's the section of SR 162 in Pierce County that's closed due to water over the roadway. We're monitoring and will reopen when water levels drop and we're able to get a look at the road. Please do not drive through road closed signs. pic.twitter.com/KmRLjXsQ9S
— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) March 1, 2022
A similar closure has been reported on South Prairie Road.
Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
South Prairie Rd E is closed between 234th Ave. E and State Hwy 162 in South Prairie due to water over the roadway.
— Pierce County, Wash. (@PierceCo) March 1, 2022
In Sumner, the length of the Sumner Link Trail has been closed due to several instances of water on the pathway.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is also warning of severe winds along the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Updated: Severe side winds on SR 16, in both directions, at MP 7.8 on the Tacoma Narrows Bridges. Beginning at 7:25 am on March 1, 2022 until further notice.
— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) March 1, 2022
Tree falls have also been an issue in the Puyallup area.
Road closure at the 3500 Blk of East Pioneer due to a fallen tree. The road will remain closed until tree debris is cleared. pic.twitter.com/vko9rXVF6j
— Puyallup Police (@PuyallupPD) March 1, 2022
More closures are likely as the day unfolds. Pierce County says it will continue to monitor forecasts and conditions closely to keep residents abreast of the latest developments, and is encouraging everyone to check current road conditions by visiting piercecountywa.gov/winterweather.
Residents can also report issues online at piercecountywa.gov/works or by calling 253-798-6000.
This is a developing story featuring active road closures, Patch will update this page as the situation evolves.
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