Landslide shuts down Interstate 5 north of Seattle

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Crews are working to clear debris from Interstate 5 Sunday morning after a landslide left an extensive debris trail and closed part of the main highway south of the Washington-Canada border.

Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) officials said all northbound lanes of I-5 north of Iowa Street in Bellingham were closed around 5:45 a.m. PT following the landslide. The weather event occurred about an hour north of Seattle.

About two hours after the landslide, WDOT said northbound I-5 remained closed in Bellingham and there was no estimated time for reopening. WDOT warned of heavy rainfall and possible flooding on local roads.

Landslides are common in mountainous areas and can be triggered by rainfall.

Bellingham Airport recorded more than 2 inches of rain in two hours Sunday morning, marking the city's second-wettest October day on record, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.

A photo released by the state agency showed a tractor-trailer in the middle of the debris field, as well as trees and mud strewn across the highway.

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“Crews are on site and working to clear debris and repair damage to barriers and walls. I-5 southbound in this area is also impacted, although not closed at this time,” WDOT wrote on Facebook.