A significant washout on Barnes Drive in Castle Rock—one of the key artery roads near the Toutle River Resort—collapsed in mid‑December, closing a lane and raising serious safety concerns for nearby residents and travelers.

On the afternoon of Friday, December 12, 2025, a massive sinkhole opened up in the 8700 block of Barnes Drive, reportedly washing away an entire lane of the two‑lane road. The collapse occurred during a storm surge and heavy rainfall event that battered Cowlitz County, prompting concerns over infrastructure resilience and public safety.

The Cowlitz County Department of Public Works confirmed the closure, though as of the most recent reports, county officials have not publicly provided a definitive timeline for when repairs will begin or when the roadway might reopen.

This local infrastructure failure comes amid broader flooding impacts across southwestern Washington. Nearby roads have endured closures, landslides, and washouts—adding urgency to a local need for resilient, climate‑aware infrastructure planning.

Residents and local businesses are now facing disruptions. Barnes Drive serves as a vital connector for the surrounding community, including access to residential areas and recreational sites near the Toutle River. With one lane destroyed, emergency response access, traffic circulation, and daily commutes in the area are compromised.

While the Cowlitz County Department of Public Works oversees Barnes Drive, there is no published repair plan yet. Given the emergency nature of this washout—similar to other recent infrastructure emergencies—the county may pursue rapid stabilization measures followed by engineering design for long‑term resilience.

This incident mirrors a pattern across the region: an aging roadway network, increasingly strained by extreme weather events, now requires urgent attention. Infrastructure failures such as these underscore the need for investments in climate‑adaptive public works, including improved drainage, erosion control, and durable construction.

Community awareness remains key—residents are encouraged to monitor official updates from Cowlitz County, avoid the affected area until repairs are complete, and hold local officials accountable for expedited, transparent response. The collapse isn’t just a road failure—it’s a reminder that our communities need infrastructure that serves people, protects public safety, and resists future climate threats.

We will continue tracking county announcements and will update our readers as repair timelines are confirmed.

Sources: Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG, KPTV.