Schuster is completely clear this morning but you can see along the hillside where mud slid. Some spots sheared bare are easily 8-10' wide.
1/8 @ 8:33am by KevinFreitas

We've got basement flooding from sewer backing up here near UPS. Started around 10 pm.
1/8 @ 2:53am by Crenshaw Sepulveda

Great coverage Kevin. I see you have activated the "Forum Blotter" as well. I-5 by Fife still looks to be open. For now.
1/8 @ 12:29am by Erik

Nice job with the low-light photography.
1/7 @ 11:56pm by NSHDscott

City of Tacoma has also announced a closure of Marine View Drive for the rest of the night due to slides aka Highway 509
1/7 @ 11:37pm by Jake

I-5 has some lane restrictions in the Fife area but traffic going thru OK. Ruston Way bad.
1/7 @ 11:17pm by fredo

City of Tacoma has closed McKinley Ave from S 90th St – S 96th St and N. Ferdinand at Waterview Hill for street flooding
1/7 @ 9:51pm by ensie

City of Tacoma has closed South Orchard Street from South 6th to South 12th tonight for street flooding
1/7 @ 9:48pm by Jake

From The News Tribune (Lights & Sirens): It just came over the scanner that there's a mudslide blocking both lanes in the 400 block of South Schuster Parkway in Tacoma, near the grain elevators. Earlier it sounded like water was flowing out of manhole covers in that area.
1/7 @ 9:06pm by ensie

From Twitter: City has closed McKinley Ave from S 90th St – S 96th St and N. Ferdinand at Waterview Hill for street flooding City of Tacoma has closed Ruston Way from McCarver Street to Alder Way in Tacoma tonight for street flooding
1/7 @ 9:03pm by Jake

@Kevin - I thought about that. Of course, that's pending flooding along that route too. While 509 probably won't be bad going into Fife, it may be difficult to get up to Federal Way from there.
1/7 @ 8:43pm by ensie

509 is pretty landslide prone along the bluff. I would be surprised if they aren't already having problems.
1/7 @ 8:35pm by Jake

@ensie: Could take 509 out through Federal Way and onto Hwy 18. Might take a while but could avoid a bit of the mess. Hopefully I-5 will be open then.
1/7 @ 8:22pm by KevinFreitas

Driving home from Buckley was an adventure today. The 410 is closed near Sumner, routing all the traffic through Sumner. Since I've never been to Sumner for any reason, it was a game of follow-the-leader and eventually I ended up in Puyallup. Am wondering if River Road will be open tomorrow as closures on I-5 may prevent me getting to the 18 East...
1/7 @ 8:12pm by ensie

I have heard reports (from my sister :( ) that basements are flooding in the South End area of Tacoma. She says it was knee high.
1/7 @ 8:07pm by Jake

Dave & Annie@ Helpful links, all worked and have good information. My wife will be driving I 5 thru fife at 10:30 tonight (provided it's open). I'll report what she experiences.
1/7 @ 8:03pm by fredo

Thanks, Annie. Will try to find my way back Tacoma from Sumner/Puyallup area now. City of Fife is calling for voluntary evacuation. http://www.cityoffife.org/ TNT http://www.thenewstribune.com/ has a lot of photogs out, too with their Lights and Sirens blog following http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime/ The Pierce County website is trying to keep up with list of closed roads. http://columbia.co.pierce.wa.us/crisiscom/page6.htm A good night for a warm PSP pizza.
1/7 @ 7:43pm by Dave_L

As far as interstates and state highways go you can call 511 to get the latest information. You can also look online at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/Update/Pierce_Thurston_Kitsap.htm
1/7 @ 7:31pm by Annie J

Keep the updates coming folks--big or small--for all to see on the FT homepage. Every little bit of info helps.
1/7 @ 7:19pm by KevinFreitas

feedTacoma paying off bigtime now.
1/7 @ 7:18pm by fredo

Schuster Parkway is open and merely messy with standing water. Drive slowly and, if you're heading toward downtown, keep an eye out for other mudslides.
1/7 @ 7:14pm by KevinFreitas

From King5: 6:56 p.m.: Tacoma Power is keeping an eye on rising river levels and the potential for flooding at the Radiance Housing Development in Fife. If water levels pose a safety threat or could cause extensive damage to the utility's electrical system, Tacoma Power must shut off electrical service to the development with little or no notice.
1/7 @ 7:08pm by Jake

Thanks for the updates everybody! Kevin your logjam shots were excellent.
1/7 @ 6:43pm by fredo

Wow, thanks seejane. I'm going to head back over near the river to see what's going on. We'll see how close I can get. Hoping all the bridges are in one piece. Stay safe out there everyone!
1/7 @ 5:36pm by KevinFreitas

I just got this message from the city: News Release From the City of Tacoma, Washington www.cityoftacoma.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2009 MEDIA CONTACTS Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790 Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations, robert.mcnair-huff@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5054 City declares civil emergency due to potential flooding of Puyallup River The U.S Army Corps of Engineers has predicted the Puyallup River may overflow its banks early Thursday morning. As a result of this prediction, Tacoma’s Mayor Bill Baarsma and City Manager Eric Anderson issued a proclamation that the City of Tacoma is in a state of civil emergency. The declaration was made based on flooding risks to the City’s Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, which could pose a risk to public health. The City’s Emergency Operations Center will open at 6 p.m. tonight and will remain open for the duration of the emergency. The City’s surface water crews have switched to a 24-hour work schedule to attempt to keep the more than 22,000 public storm drains clean in Tacoma. Drains near street corners and in low areas of streets and parking lots are the main concern. Drivers navigating Tacoma’s rain-logged streets or in areas that are prone to slides, such as Schuster Parkway and Marine View Drive, are encouraged to drive with caution. Remember that it is not safe to walk or drive through flooded areas. For the latest news about potential flooding and street closure information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org or the City’s Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/cityoftacoma. To report stormwater flooding or sewage backups, call (253) 591-5585. To report blockages in the road from flooding, landslides or other debris, call (253) 591- 5495.
1/7 @ 5:20pm by seejane

Just heard I-5 in Fife may be shut down soon.
1/7 @ 4:27pm by Jake

The Puyallup River is raging just east of Tacoma. I went down this afternoon near the Tagro facility to have a look.
1/7 @ 3:48pm by KevinFreitas