Stehekin communities were cut off by mudslides and flooding this week as powerful storms damaged roads, utilities, and the town’s water system, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Morrison said storms on the evening of Dec. 10 and throughout Dec. 11 triggered multiple mud and debris slides across Stehekin, a remote community at the head of Lake Chelan.

Flooding occurred at the same time, worsening the impacts and leaving several areas of the valley inaccessible.

Slides have blocked Stehekin Valley Road in several locations and knocked out power to large parts of the valley.

The National Park Service’s water treatment facility in Stehekin was destroyed, limiting access to clean drinking water.

Officials expect drinking water to become scarce, and the Sheriff’s

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