Multiple landslides block Seattle-area highways

A landslide blocked all lanes of Interstate 90 east of Sunset Way in Issaquah except one, Thursday morning, February 16, 2017. WSDOT officials reported crews had opened one westbound lane around 7:20 a.m., while the others will remain closed for assessment.Maple...

26 February 2017 Sunday 08:55
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Multiple landslides block Seattle-area highways

A landslide blocked all lanes of Interstate 90 east of Sunset Way in Issaquah except one, Thursday morning, February 16, 2017. WSDOT officials reported crews had opened one westbound lane around 7:20 a.m., while the others will remain closed for assessment.

Maple Valley Highway's westbound lanes in Renton were the latest closure Thursday morning as rain-soaked hillsides continue to slide around the Seattle area.

Interstate 90 remained closed near Issaquah after a landslide blocked all but one lane just east of Sunset Way. Crews opened one westbound lane around 7:20 a.m. 

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A landslide on the Maple Valley Highway in Renton brought trees and dirt down, blocking the highway Thursday morning. 

A landslide on the Maple Valley Highway in Renton brought trees and dirt down, blocking the highway Thursday morning. 

A landslide across I-90 in Issaquah caused a miles-long back-up Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

A landslide across I-90 in Issaquah caused a miles-long back-up Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

A landslide across I-90 in Issaquah caused a miles-long back-up Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

A landslide across I-90 in Issaquah caused a miles-long back-up Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

Department of Transportation crews work to clear debris that spilled across Interstate 90 in Issaquah, closing most lanes to traffic early Thursday morning, Feb. 16, 2017.

Department of Transportation crews work to clear debris that spilled across Interstate 90 in Issaquah, closing most lanes to traffic early Thursday morning, Feb. 16, 2017.

The state Department of Transportation reported a three-mile backup behind the slide area and urged drivers to use state Route 202 instead.

In the city, West Seattle's Highland Park Way Southwest also remained closed after a slide blocked that road Wednesday.

February has already brought more than 7 inches of rainfall to the Seattle area, according to National Weather Service (NWS) data. February typically sees about 1.94 inches -- over the whole month.

Forecasts called for more rain Thursday, but after heavy rains already this week, flood watches or warnings were in effect in Skagit, Snohomish and King counties. The Skokomish River in Mason County had already crested above flood stage.

Another landslide early Thursday blocked traffic in the 3400 block of East Pioneer Street in Puyallup.

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