Expected rainfall could increase risk for landslides

SEATTLE — Expected rain could increase the risk for landslides in Western Washington.

"Rainfall amounts will total a half inch or less in many areas north and west of Everett, but get heavier as you go south.  Amounts in the lowlands of 1-2 inches through early Thursday will likely send landslide risk into the moderate to high category again," KIRO 7 PinPoint Meteorologist Nick Allard said on Wednesday.

Heavy rain from early Wednesday created messes throughout the morning.  A mudslide on Highland Park Way in West Seattle blocked streets and cut power.

>> PHOTOS: Hillside rips off, blocks busy West Seattle street

Parts of a saturated hillside gave way, spilling mud and tossing trees onto the road at about 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Crews blocked Highland Park Way Southwest between Southwest Holden Street and West Marginal Way Southwest. Traffic is being rerouted.

>> Download the KIRO 7 Weather app here for weather alerts around your home. 

The mudslide is blocking about three lanes of traffic on the normally busy east-west arterial between the Delridge neighborhood and West Marginal Way.

Power was cut to some customers in the area because of downed lines. Initially, about 2,000 customers were without power. As of 7:30 a.m., that number had decreased to 300.

A Seattle Department of Transportation engineer is assessing the stability of the hillside. Mud and debris on the road measure about 3 to 5 feet deep. Once the hillside is deemed to be stable enough, crews can begin to clear the area.

SDOT expects Highland Park Way to remain closed through Wednesday and into Thursday as more rain is expected to fall.

SDOT spokesman Norm Mah is asking the public to call 911 if they see any sign of unstable hillsides or mudslides in their area.

Cox Media Group