Both the Green and Cedar Rivers were closed Saturday to all recreational use, due to raging waters from melting snow.
Numerous rescues were made as well, and both rivers are closed until further notice.
The King County Sheriff’s Office and the King County Office of Emergency Management issued the closure. This kind of event hasn’t happened in years, and never this early in the season.
Three state parks on those rivers also have been shut down temporarily to prevent recreational access to the rivers.
Rescue crews have been overwhelmed by reports of stranded boaters and rafters who were tempted into area waterways by the unusually warm, sunny weather.
Once in the water, however, many boaters have lost control, fallen in or become stranded. Those rivers and others in the region are swollen with icy snowmelt from the mountains.
The three state parks closed by authorities are:
- Flaming Geyser, on the Green River in East King County
- Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, east of Black Diamond
- Hanging Garden State Park in the Green River Gorge
At one state park alone – Flaming Geyser – at least nine people went into the water. None are believed to be injured, but at least one is suffering from mild hypothermia.
A kayaker has been reported missing as well, and his fate is not known at this time.
In addition, water rescues were made at the other two parks.
Meanwhile, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies have called off an earlier search on the Puyallup River after receiving a report of an overturned raft. Crews have searched, flown and talked with people on the river and have not found anyone in trouble.
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