Suspected looters are using kayaks to rob homes impacted by flooding in Washington, cops say
Looters used kayaks to head up to a vulnerable home hit by Washington’s devastating floods and rob it, cops say.
Historic flooding has been hitting cities across the state since last week, washing away homes and forcing the complete evacuation of some areas.
Now, according to Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputies, some criminals have taken advantage of the chaos to carry out raids.
On Saturday, a homeowner told SCSO deputies his property had been vandalized and his belongings stolen by burglars who arrived in kayaks and other boats.
When the owner confronted the rogue kayakers, they managed to recover their belongings, according to a SCSO press release seen by KOMO News.
“These individuals have already been victimized enough and are trying to recover from a natural disaster,” the department said.
Lt. Glenn DeWitt said Seattle weather that residents should lock their valuables and write down serial numbers to track stolen goods.
Dewitt also had a message for any raiders planning a raid in the near future.
“You will not steal, it is immoral and a crime. We will find you and arrest you,” he said.
Deputies said they responded to reports of people launching kayaks into a restricted area earlier in the day, around 11 a.m.
Although they made contact with some kayakers, they did not confirm any criminal activity at that time and released those they encountered.
It is not yet clear whether it was the kayakers who committed the alleged theft.
According to PBS News, an evacuation of the entire Skagit River floodplain forced 78,000 residents from their homes in anticipation of an expected flood Friday morning.
The same day, the Snohomish River was recorded at a record depth of 34.15 feet, Fox Weather reported. When heavy rains resume over the coming week, the river could deepen further.
“The situation is truly historic,” Gov. Bob Ferguson told reporters as rescue teams worked to bring residents to safety. “Rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are literally facing and experiencing historic flood levels.
“So this is a situation that people in Washington state have never faced before, at this level of flooding.”
An emergency declaration was signed by Donald Trump on December 12, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to residents.
Fox Weather meteorologists said cooler air will move into the region by mid-week, meaning some areas could see snow before chaotic conditions set in.
