Flood — Chelan, Washington

2025-12-08 to 2025-12-12 · near Stehekin, Chelan, Washington

Event narrative

Several reports of flood impacts were received from the Lake Chelan Recreation Area and Stehekin. A rockslide took place outside the Pioneer burn area from 2024 and blocked the road, damaging 200 yards of the road between Purple Point and Loggers Point. Several debris flows coming down onto roads in the area, including Stehekin Valley Road. The town of Stehekin experienced a debris flow from the Pioneer Fire Burn Scar. A debris flow has washed out multiple roads, and swept away the water treatment plant and sewer system. They are currently receiving pallets of water and other resources. Damage cost is estimated.

Wider weather episode

An atmospheric river brought heavy rains to the Cascades December 8 through 10. The East slopes saw 48 hour rain amounts of up to 7 inches along the crest, 3 to 4 inches in the mid slopes, and at least half an inch in the low land areas. The rain combined with snow melt and led to several flooding and landslide incidents. The flooding forced the closure of highway US 2 for several weeks. An embedded cold front brought high winds in the 60 mph range to the region causing downed trees and power lines.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.3200, -120.6500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1307498. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.