Mudslides close U.S. 2 at Leavenworth

Mudslides just north of Leavenworth have closed U.S. Highway 2 for approximately 16 miles, the second weather-related closure along the route in two days. The slides occurred late Thursday and covered the two-lane highway between Leavenworth and Coles Corner to the north, the Washington Department of Transportation said today. Stevens Pass to the west remained closed this morning after snow slides blocked the highway and covered a snow blower truck that was working on clearing slides on Thursday. The driver was not hurt. Heavy snow and rain led to the snow slides and caused steep slopes to become saturated and unstable. State Highway 209 offers and alternate route for traffic to get around the mud slides. There was no estimate of when the highway would be reopened.