ROCKPORT — A flood-damaged stretch of State Route 530 has reopened after emergency repairs, restoring two-way travel on a key North Cascades access corridor used by many Southwest Washington residents heading north for work, recreation, and winter travel.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said both directions of SR 530 reopened on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, about eight miles south of Rockport, following repairs to an embankment damaged by December floodwaters.

According to WSDOT, contractor crews for the agency rebuilt the eroded embankment, backfilled the roadbed with gravel, and then paved and restriped the highway. WSDOT said crews also reconstructed guardrail before reopening eastbound and westbound lanes.

WSDOT attributed the damage to a December “atmospheric river” event that brought heavy rain and widespread flooding across northwest Washington. The agency said the Sauk River reached peak stages on Dec. 11, covering SR 530 and washing away roughly 300 feet of embankment. WSDOT said a portion of the westbound lane failed and fell into the river.

For Cowlitz County travelers, the reopening matters less as a daily commute and more as a reminder: winter travel disruptions are not limited to mountain passes. River corridors and lower-elevation routes can fail quickly during major rain events, cutting off access to towns and recreation areas and forcing detours that add time, cost, and risk—especially for people driving older vehicles or working jobs without paid flexibility.

WSDOT encourages drivers to check conditions before leaving. Real-time travel information is available through the WSDOT Travel Center Map and the WSDOT mobile app:

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