TULALIP, Wash — Heavy rain last month caused a Snohomish County culvert to collapse under water pressure, leading to a neighborhood road collapse. But ever since the single road to their homes buckled five weeks ago, nearly two dozen neighbors have been stuck on an island, cut off from all emergency services.
The 23 residents, including schoolchildren and the elderly, have had to travel by foot over rushing waters past the dilapidated culvert, which sits beneath 12th Avenue Northwest.
"They're, of course, very anxious to get that road reopened again. And so, as are we," said Snohomish County Executive Director Ken Klein.
Despite the daily dangers the situation presents for the Aqua Hills Association's residents, initial discussions regarding who will fix it resulted in a stalemate. But now, Snohomish County leaders say a solution is within reach.
Dave Somers, the county's executive, declared an emergency in March. Even though somebody built a new makeshift footbridge, the bridge is not up to safety code and does not allow for vehicle traffic.
"If there's an issue with police, or fire, or paramedics, they wouldn't be able to have access to the property because right now they're, they're locked out," said Klein.
Klein said the county just secured a grant from the state that could help them make the needed repairs to the road.
"The county can utilize these funds from the state to build a bridge," said Klein.
He said the Washington State Department of Commerce reached out to his team "and said that they had a pilot program that they thought would work in the situation.”
Even though the water in the creek belongs to the Tulalip Tribe, Klein said the grant will also help them work on some mitigation to prevent further issues.
"The tribe has been helpful in getting those permits," said Klein.
Klein said that he has been in communication with the HOA's president every day.