Auburn, WA -Valley Regional Fire Authority 

E338 was dispatched to a report of water in an apartment in Pacific on12/16/25 at

01:30. As the crew crossed the railroad tracks on 3rd Ave SE, the officer added the water

rescue units of the VRFA. Upon arrival E338 parked one block out from the dispatched

address due to rapid inundation of the neighborhood. The crew of E338 donned PFD’s

and proceeded on foot through waist-deep water toward the apartments from which the

RP called from. Recognizing the current, strainer, and sieve hazards present recognized

they would not be able to evacuate the units in the south side of the complex and

focused on the north side to evacuate, escort, and carry trapped victims 4 blocks to

safety. With the rising water E338 recognized the need to cease their efforts upon the

arrival of E333, RR333, and RR433. Enroute E338 communicated to responding crews

that the White River HESCO barrier levee had breached in Pacific. B331, established

command, contacted the PSRFA/KCSO unified command, national guard, and PCSO to

request additional water rescue resources. E333, RR333, and RR433 were alerted to

multiple occupants trapped in an apartment complex next to the breach. Crews

deployed 2 14' rafts and an Aire Sabertooth 2. As crews approached from 4th Ave SE

they encountered ankle-deep water increasing to 4' in depth. Cars and other hazards

were partially and fully submerged. Current of 4-5 knots was encountered as it was very

near to the breach. As RR433 entered the parking lot they dodged a moving car that

could not see them as it was submerged over its windshield. Immediately after dodging

the car, the car became stuck with 4 additional victims inside. The car blocked the

current and formed an eddy for the parking lot which allowed for easier ingress and

egress during the evacuation. RR333 evacuated 8 people in the first load including the

occupants of the stuck car. After loading the first 6 occupants in their boat, RR433 while

paddling out of the parking lot was high sided in current on the stuck car and had to spin

the boat to get off the car and out of the parking lot. RR433 and RR333 evacuated 30 to

40 occupants and numerous other pets via raft. Crews made 4 trips each with 3 boats

utilizing cars as eddies to safely navigate the loaded rafts in the parking lot and street.

32 apartment units were evacuated in this operation. KCSO marine units, FEMA USAR

CA-TF3, PCSO marine units, and WA National Guard, responded within minutes to

assist with evacuations and rescues. KCSO Marine Unit was responsible for numerous

rescues on White River Dr during this operation utilizing inflatable kayaks with a deuce

and a half truck. RR433 and PCSO marine units conducted secondary search of the

apartments on 4 th Ave SE and found 1 victim on floor 2 who was not awakened by the

initial door knocks and evacuation alerting. The victim was transported via raft to safety.

No injuries to personnel or victims were reported.