Flooding in the United States: a levee collapses near Seattle, residents urged to evacuate

On Monday, U.S. authorities called for the immediate evacuation of an area in the suburbs of Seattle due to the collapse of a levee caused by heavy rainfall that has been affecting the region for several days. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning that affects over 46,000 residents in King County, located in the southern suburbs of Seattle. A levee on the Green River collapsed near an industrial and commercial area, according to the county's emergency services.

"Conditions are dangerous and access routes may be blocked at any time," the NWS stated on social media, urging people in several areas of Tukwila, Renton, and Kent to "leave immediately." The Washington National Guard, which has already been deployed for several days, announced that it would send troops to assist in the area.

Several factories belonging to the American aerospace manufacturer Boeing are situated nearby. Heavy rains have been impacting this coastal region of the northwestern United States and neighboring Canada for several days, leading to multiple floods and evacuation orders.