A victory emerges from December’s historic flooding

By Antonio Estrada

December storms are nothing new in Washington, but their effects can be. In December 2025, a series of powerful atmospheric rivers hit the state. They dumped over 10 inches of rain in some areas. The result was catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage to homes, businesses and roads. However, there were a few areas that got a lot of rain but didn’t flood.

For decades, the stretch of southbound Interstate 5 near the Fife curve was known as a trouble spot for chronic flooding. During heavy rainstorms, it was inevitable that lanes would close due to flooding. That disrupted freight, daily commutes and emergency response. This year, despite intense rainfall and closures on other state routes, all lanes of I-5 in this area stayed open. So, what changed?

I-5 near the Fife curve is in a unique landscape. Long before the interstate existed, this area was a natural wetland and floodplain. Over time, development routed Hylebos Creek into irrigation channels and changed the floodplain into farmland. That limited where floodwater could go. During prolonged and heavy rainfall, water from a swollen Hylebos Creek and highway runoff would pool where it didn’t belong – on the freeway.

For years, the result was predictable: heavy rain meant flooding, and flooding meant closures. It was a recurring problem with real consequences for the region’s economy and mobility.

The storms that hit in December 2025 delivered a lot of rainfall in a short period of time – exactly the kind of conditions that have caused problems for this section of I-5. But this time, all lanes stayed open.

Since 2022, crews working on the SR 167 Completion Project have been restoring former wetland areas and streams on either side of I-5 in Fife. The project revitalizes over 150 acres of land. It establishes new stormwater control in the area by giving flood water a place to go rather than the freeway. Streams were widened and realigned to create more natural channels. These channels reconnect the active stream with restored wetlands which act as a storage place for flood water.

In other words, the area was intentionally re-shaped to once again function like a floodplain - a place where flood water goes so it can slowly seep into the soil and streams instead of overwhelming stream banks and pooling on the road.

Aerial photo of I-5 near the Fife curve, looking south, during the December 2025 storms across Washington.

The result of December’s storms was clear: floodwater moved through the restored floodplain wetlands and stream systems as intended, and traffic kept moving too.

Photos from past storms show parts of I-5 underwater. When compared with images from December, the contrast is striking: the same location, the same type of storm, but a very different outcome.

Aerial view of historic flooding at I-5 near the Fife curve, looking north, due to heavy rainfall. The right lanes of southbound I-5 (on the left) and the left lane of northbound I-5 (on the right) are closed because of water on the road.

These pictures tell the story clearly. What was once a weak point in the system is now a strength.

Keeping lanes open on a major interstate during a major storm isn’t just convenient, it’s critical. Freight deliveries continue, commutes stay reliable and emergency services can move when they need to.

This project shows how long-term planning and investment can pay off when conditions are toughest. It supports infrastructure that’s built not just for average days, but for extreme weather events that are becoming more common.

The December 2025 storms caused real damage across the state, and recovery work continues. But as we take stock of what needs fixing, it’s just as important to recognize what’s working well.

The floodplain wetland and stream restoration near I-5 in Fife shows how a long-standing flooding challenge can be transformed into a lasting solution. Through thoughtful design, environmental restoration and strong partnerships, the project has created infrastructure that is more resilient and better equipped to meet future demands.