Flood Waters Move East – Lake Aspen Area Off 16th Ave Hit Hard

Yakima's afternoon commute will take a little more time and a lot more patience as rising waters limit options and funnel traffic on the city's North side.

The North 40th and Fruitvale intersection felt the high water first but now the Lake Aspen area is experiencing the rushing water.  Our Townsquare Media General Manager lives in the gated community off the now aptly named River Road.  He says he got the evacuation knock on his door earlier this morning as the low lying parts of his neighborhood were filling up with lake overflow.

According to a published report in the Yakima Herald Republic the flooding here was the result of a chain reaction of events stemming from trying to move water out of other areas.

The YHR reports that emergency officials diverted floodwaters into Lake Myron in an attempt to control flooding which then lead to Lake Aspen and neighboring Willow Lake to overflow.  The flooding at Aspen Village got worse when a levee in Willow Lake broke, allowing water to flow into Lake Aspen.

Police have reduced traffic to a single lane on N.16TH in the area which will back things up there which will complicate things for motorist along highway 12 headed to Selah and Naches.

 No word yet on how long until the water recedes.

The latest on area street closures from city hall.

- 40th Avenue from Powerhouse Road to Fruitvale Boulevard - including Highway 12 ramp

- Fruitvale Boulevard from 34th Avenue to 40th Avenue

- River Road westbound land only from Fruitvale Boulevard to 20th Avenue

- River Road fully closed from 6th Avenue to 20th Avenue

- 16th Avenue one southbound lane only from River Road to Highway 12

- 16th Avenue one northbound lane only from J Street to River Road

- Eastbound Highway 12 closed at 16th Avenue

Updates will be provided as necessary.