Remote Surveillance Trailer in Pullman, WA

PULLMAN, Washington (KLEW) — Rising water on the South Fork Palouse River displaced Pullman’s Pine Street Pedestrian Bridge, as flooding created widespread travel problems across the city early Saturday.

Water levels continued to rise, pushing the bridge off its position. The bridge “functioned as intended” by floating until it cleared the abutments, then rotating and coming to rest on the north bank of the river. The bridge is expected to be closed “for a while,” and the community will be updated with a plan to move it back.

As of 7:55 a.m. March 14, water levels remained “very high” on the South Fork, with minor to moderate flooding reported in areas across Pullman, including downtown, Grand Avenue and the area around the City Playfields.

Police were out checking problem areas and blocking off roads with flooding issues as needed, mostly on side streets. Recently closed or coned-off areas included East Spring Street near the WSU Visitor Center to limit access to the City Playfields; Riverview Street at Benewah; Morton Street near Reaney Park; and Derby Street to limit access to Riverview Street. The University Mobile Home & RV Park was reported inaccessible due to standing water.

Several major closures were reported overnight. At 3:05 a.m., Main Street from Spring to Pine was closed. At 3:01 a.m., Grand Avenue was closed from Nye to Ritchie, all lanes. At 2:15 a.m., a landslide was reported at Davis and Olsen, closing the road as crews responded and drivers were asked to avoid the area.

Additional high-water trouble spots were reported earlier in the morning, including water across the westbound lane near about 525 Park St. at 1:57 a.m.; water across all lanes on E. Main Street east of Pine Street at 1:47 a.m.; flooding across all lanes on NE Morton Street by the Reaney pool at 1:44 a.m.; and water completely across N. Grand north of NW Windus Street at 1:38 a.m., with curb lanes blocked off. Localized urban flooding was reported around Pullman.

By 9:45 a.m., Grand Avenue had reopened.

Officials urged people to avoid high-water areas and use caution if they must travel, including watching for detours and traffic control measures. They also warned people not to walk, bike, or drive into standing or moving water.

PULLMAN, WA — The City of Pullman has announced reductions to staff hours, seasonal hiring, and several city services as officials work to address an ongoing budget shortfall.

City administrators said the changes are part of a broader effort to reduce costs while maintaining core services. The measures include cutting hours for some casual employees, reducing seasonal hiring, and scaling back certain programs and facility operations.

Beginning March 16, 16 casual employees across multiple departments will have their hours reduced to zero. Casual employees are part-time workers who typically work fewer than 16 hours per week and do not receive city benefits. Pullman policy requires staffing reductions to begin with casual, seasonal, and temporary employees.

The affected positions include nine reserve firefighters, four reference assistants at the Neill Public Library, and three Public Works positions, including a fleet maintenance office staff member, a transit bus washer, and an engineering intern. City officials said minimum fire department staffing levels will remain unchanged and Public Works duties will be reassigned or deferred.

The city is also reducing future seasonal hiring, including seven positions in Parks and Facilities and 17 positions in Parks and Recreation. Some positions may still be filled with fewer hours.

Several services will also be scaled back. Starting March 16, Neill Public Library hours will be reduced by seven hours per week. Parks and Recreation will cut the number of city-sponsored Concerts in the Park from six to four and Movies in the Park from four to two.

The Pullman Recreation Center will eliminate Sunday open gym hours beginning March 29 but will continue to allow private rentals. At Reaney Park Pool, open swim will be offered daily from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting June 13, while water exercise classes and the Barracuda Swim Team will not be offered this season.

In total, the changes affect 40 casual and seasonal positions and are expected to save about $300,000, reducing the city’s 2025–2026 General Fund shortfall to approximately $800,000.

Officials said the reductions follow more than 18 months of cost-cutting measures across city departments, and additional steps may be needed to balance the budget.