Roads opened, Yakima homes and apartments still evacuated due to flooding

Yakima officials are working to contain and remove flood waters from Yakima streets and neighborhoods after the snow melt and rain from the mountains has caused several creeks to overflow.

Crews were also able to get nearly all the roads back open in Yakima. Police said on Friday both lanes in each direction of 16th Avenue between River Road and Highway 12 are now open to traffic. The only street that remains closed is River Road between 6th Avenue and 20th Avenue.

Officials are not sure when those living at least 19 homes and those living in the Lake Aspen Village apartment complex, which is under a mandatory evacuation, may be able to get back into their homes. Beehler with the City of Yakima says there is some safety concerns related to power. The Lake Aspen Business Park also remains under a couple feet of water and remains closed.

The good news is, Randy Beehler with the City of Yakima says water levels at the nearby lakes look to have stabilized Friday.

"Due in part to a diversion that we made in Cowiche Creek which allowed some of that backed up water to be released across some property and go into the Naches River," says Beehler.

However, the Naches River is full and that is causing some flooding which they can't control. The city also has rain in the forecast and Beehler says if warm temperatures and precipitation hit the mountains, they could see more flooding.

Mike Bastinelli with Yakima police says they have set up a public concern line with the department, (509) 575-6165. The city has also set up a shelter at 72nd and Summit View, at the Summit View Christ Church.