Large Fallen Tree Causes a Major Traffic Tangle on I-405

If you were anywhere around NB I-405 near I-5 yesterday afternoon, you were probably caught in an unexpected traffic jam because of a tree.

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Around 12:54 PM yesterday afternoon (August 6, 2025), Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a tree had come down and was blocking the first two lanes of northbound I-405.

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Washington State Department of Transportation Works to Clear Trees

It’s not every day that a tree decides to lie down across a major highway, but it does happen.

The Washington West Coast often suffers from strong winds, which can cause root rot, leading to trees falling into roadways and posing a serious safety hazard. A fallen tree can quickly bring normal traffic to a near standstill.

The good news is that no injuries were reported, and the response was relatively quick.

A Quick Response from WSDOT Means Safer Roads

Thanks to fast-acting WSDOT road crews and emergency responders working together, the tree was removed, and all lanes are back open. Crews arrived quickly after the alert went out, restoring traffic flow.

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This story shows how quickly things can change on Washington roads. Make sure you stay alert, give extra space to road workers, and keep an eye on your traffic apps or local alerts before heading out for known obstacles.