RENTON, Wash. — A water main break shut down a road and flooded a school in Renton.
According to the police department, Houser Way North in Renton was closed from 200 Mill Avenue South to Bronson Way North.
200 Mill Avenue was evacuated as a safety precaution.
“It was like a cascading waterfall kind of coming down the driveway,” said Dr. David-Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Renton Prep.
Zimmerman told KIRO 7 that more than 50 students and staff had to evacuate. He turned it into a bible lesson, telling the kids it was just like Noah’s Ark.
Zimmerman expects to be out of the building for at least a week while the damage is evaluated.
“There is a concrete wall designed to keep the Cedar River from flowing into the building when it floods,” he said. “It did just the opposite. It was like a bathtub.”
The parking lot was filled with feet of water, moving fast enough to push cars around. One truck owner told KIRO 7 his brand-new vehicle was totaled.
“My coworker called me, and I thought it was a bad practical joke at first,” said Isaak Jackson, who works at the building.
After the water cleared out, the parking lot and the basement were left full of mud. Restoration crews described the damage as extensive.
“Annihilated like a flood came suddenly,” said Richard Thompson of Pacific Northwest Restoration of the inside of the building. “It wasn’t a slow trickle; this was a sudden and massive accident.”
Update 3/20 at 12:25 pm: Due to large amounts of water, Houser Way N is closed from 200 Mill Ave S to Bronson Way N. PW's is on scene assessing damage. 200 Mill Ave has been evacuated for safety precautions. Do not walk around bridge area over river as that could be unsafe. https://t.co/5ompgUqoIa pic.twitter.com/3HIZIJZad1
— Renton Police Dept. (@RentonpdWA) March 20, 2026
The city’s public works crews responded to the scene to assess the damage, as police asked people not to walk around the bridge area over the river because it could be unsafe.
Commuters were told to expect delays in the area and plan alternate routes.
According to Renton Prep, classes cannot be held in the building on Monday as safety assessments, electrical, and plumbing need to be checked out. Plans for school have been sent to families, and Renton Prep says the city has been assisting the school with a temporary space.
©2026 Cox Media Group
