On Wednesday morning, we spoke with the mayor of Auburn and the city manager in Carnation about flooding in their cities and what they expect to happen next.

GUESTS:
Nancy Backus, mayor of Auburn, WA
Rhonda Ender, city manager, Carnation, WA

RELATED LINKS: 
‘Catastrophic’ flooding expected in King, Snohomish, Skagit counties -The Seattle Times
Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain - KUOW

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

On Wednesday morning, we spoke with the mayor of Auburn and the city manager in Carnation about flooding in their cities and what they expect to happen next.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Nancy Backus, mayor of Auburn, WA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rhonda Ender, city manager, Carnation, WA</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/catastrophic-flooding-expected-in-king-snohomish-skagit-counties/">&lsquo;Catastrophic&rsquo; flooding expected in King, Snohomish, Skagit counties -The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/western-washington-faces-catastrophic-flooding-as-two-atmospheric-rivers-dump-heavy-rain">Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain - KUOW</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

We checked in with two officials about how flooding caused by an atmostpheric river is impacting their cities

Flooding in WA: Updates from Auburn and Carnation

It’s been a busy year for the Seattle Police Department. 

A new chief was sworn in, the longstanding federal consent decree ended and the city reached a new contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild that changes how it can approach unarmed crisis response.

Plus, a new mayor will take office in January.

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced this week that she planned to retain Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, despite some rumors to the contrary. 

Soundside's Libby Denkmann talked with Barnes on the morning of Thursday, December 11th, about the incoming administration, the recent policing shooting in Othello, and more. 

Note: Starting at 7:45 in the interview, Barnes cites several statistics about a drop in crime. We asked SPD for more information about the decreased crime percentages, and they said Barnes is referencing the first 11 months of 2025 compared to 2024. But in reference to homicides, the information SPD gave us cites 2019 as the last comparable year, and the reduction is actually 36 percent, instead of 35 percent, as Barnes states. 

Guest
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes

Related Links

Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response -KUOW

Seattle police video shows officers fatally shooting allegedly armed man - The Seattle Times

Seattle City Council Approves Police Contract as South End Mourns Killing in Othello - South Seattle Emerald

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

It&rsquo;s been a busy year for the Seattle Police Department.&nbsp;
A new chief was sworn in, the longstanding federal consent decree ended and the city reached a new contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild that changes how it can approach unarmed crisis response.
Plus, a new mayor will take office in January.
Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced this week that she planned to retain Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, despite some rumors to the contrary.&nbsp;
Soundside's Libby Denkmann talked with Barnes on the morning of Thursday, December 11th, about the incoming administration, the recent policing shooting in Othello, and more.&nbsp;
Note: Starting at 7:45 in the interview, Barnes cites several statistics about a drop in crime. We asked SPD for more information about the decreased crime percentages, and they said Barnes is referencing the first 11 months of 2025 compared to 2024. But in reference to homicides, the information SPD gave us cites 2019 as the last comparable year, and the reduction is actually 36 percent, instead of 35 percent, as Barnes states.&nbsp;
Guest Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes
Related Links
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-city-council-approves-new-police-contract-boosting-pay-expanding-crisis-response">Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response -KUOW</a> <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/seattle-police-video-shows-officers-fatally-shoot-allegedly-armed-man/">Seattle police video shows officers fatally shooting allegedly armed man</a> - The Seattle Times
<a href="https://southseattleemerald.org/news/2025/12/10/seattle-city-council-approves-police-contract-as-south-end-mourns-killing-in-othello">Seattle City Council Approves Police Contract as South End Mourns Killing in Othello</a> - South Seattle Emerald Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

It's been a busy year for Seattle's police chief. We also talked with him about a new SPOG contract, the 2026 World Cup, and more.  

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes weighs in on the police shooting in Othello and a new mayor-elect

KUOW Reporter Joshua McNichols

KUOW Reporter John Ryan

KUOW Reporter Casey Martin

Credits

Catastrophic flooding continues to threaten Washington. 

Around 100,000 people in Western Washington have been advised to evacuate. 

Hundreds of Washington National Guard members have been tapped to help with response efforts.

And Gov. Ferguson declared a statewide emergency in response to the flooding. 

We talked to three KUOW reporters about what they're seeing on the ground and what we need to know about this weather event. 

CORRECTION: As of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, approximately 100,000 people were advised to evacuate across Western Washington. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Skagit County issued immediate evacuation orders to 100,000 residents.

GUESTS:
KUOW Reporter Joshua McNichols
KUOW Reporter John Ryan
KUOW Reporter Casey Martin

RELATED LINKS: 
KUOW - Live updates: 100,000 evacuated in historic Skagit Valley flood in Washington state
KUOW - Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain
Live: Flooding in WA’s Skagit, Snohomish rivers prompt road closures, evacuations | The Seattle Times
Skagit River creeps toward Mount Vernon flood wall | The Seattle Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Catastrophic flooding continues to threaten Washington.&nbsp;
Around 100,000 people in Western Washington have been advised to evacuate.&nbsp;
Hundreds of Washington National Guard members have been tapped to help with response efforts.
And Gov. Ferguson declared a statewide emergency in response to the flooding.&nbsp;
We talked to three KUOW reporters about what they're seeing on the ground and what we need to know about this weather event.&nbsp;
CORRECTION: As of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, approximately 100,000 people were advised to evacuate across Western Washington. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Skagit County issued immediate evacuation orders to 100,000 residents.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">KUOW Reporter Joshua McNichols</li>
<li aria-level="1">KUOW Reporter John Ryan</li>
<li aria-level="1">KUOW Reporter Casey Martin</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/go-now-100-000-evacuated-in-historic-skagit-flood">KUOW - Live updates: 100,000 evacuated in historic Skagit Valley flood in Washington state</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/western-washington-faces-catastrophic-flooding-as-two-atmospheric-rivers-dump-heavy-rain">KUOW - Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/wa-floods-road-closures-and-evacuation-order-in-skagit-flood-plain/?utm_source=link&amp;utm_medium=social#update-19140284">Live: Flooding in WA&rsquo;s Skagit, Snohomish rivers prompt road closures, evacuations | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/skagit-river-creeps-toward-mount-vernon-flood-wall/">Skagit River creeps toward Mount Vernon flood wall | The Seattle Times</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Catastrophic flooding continues to threaten Washington. We talked to three KUOW reporters about what they're seeing on the ground and what we need to know about this weather event. 

Flooding in WA: Skagit County, Gov. Ferguson's emergency response and more

Hey Soundside Listeners!

Because our entire show was focused on flood coverage with the Governor's press conference, and live conversations with KUOW reporters Joshua McNichols, John Ryan, and Casey Martin, we decided to skip the Weekend Warmup on the air this week, and drop it here on the podcast feed instead.

Stay safe, check KUOW.org for updates, and look in on your neighbors. 

With that said, please enjoy this podcast exclusive Weekend Warmup!

LINKS:
SPORTS!
Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:25pm
Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken - Sun 5pm
Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge - Wed 7pm
WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+) - Fri 12/12
Mozart & Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert - Fri 12/12
Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds
 The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition
DEAF SANTA CLAUS - Sun 12/14

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Hey Soundside Listeners!
Because our entire show was focused on flood coverage with the Governor's press conference, and live conversations with KUOW reporters Joshua McNichols, John Ryan, and Casey Martin, we decided to skip the Weekend Warmup on the air this week, and drop it here on the podcast feed instead.
Stay safe, check KUOW.org for updates, and look in on your neighbors.&nbsp;
With that said, please enjoy this podcast exclusive Weekend Warmup!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li>SPORTS!
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seahawks.com/game-day/2025/reg-week15/seahawks-vs-colts/">Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts</a> - Sun 1:25pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-sea/2025/12/14/2025020513">Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken</a> - Sun 5pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/229">Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge</a> - Wed 7pm</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://tickets.zoo.org/events/019843c7-af07-bcec-a003-532e9eefc0e6">WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+)</a> -&nbsp;Fri 12/12</li>
<li><a href="https://www.livemusicproject.org/events/165912/mozart-mutts-annual-holiday-concert">Mozart &amp; Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert</a> - Fri 12/12</li>
<li><a href="https://www.jurassicquest.com/events/41KZP2">Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds</a></li>
<li>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atthehelmevents.com/events">The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grandillusioncinema.org/film/deaf-santa-claus/">DEAF SANTA CLAUS</a> - Sun 12/14</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Podcast Exclusive Weekend Warmup! Today's Soundside broadcast was 100% live flood coverage, so check out kuow.org for links and details.

Flooding in WA: Updates from Auburn and Carnation

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