Storm damage forces full evacuation of Holden Village for the first time since ‘60s

LAKE CHELAN — Severe winter storms have forced the full evacuation of Holden Village and left the remote Lake Chelan community of Stehekin isolated and heavily damaged, as residents, agencies, and utilities begin the long process of cleanup and assessment.

Holden Village, the remote Lutheran retreat center located roughly 10 miles inland from Lake Chelan, is now completely uninhabited following storm damage that cut off access and disrupted critical infrastructure. This marks the first time since the 1960s that the community has been entirely evacuated.

The initial evacuation began Dec. 13, after heavy rain, flooding, and landslides washed out Forest Service Road 8301, the only access route into the village. At that time, most staff and visitors were airlifted out, while a small group remained behind to stabilize facilities and prepare the site for winter conditions.

A second storm system moved through the region several days later, bringing additional wind and snowfall that downed hundreds of trees. One of those trees damaged a penstock feeding the village’s hydroelectric system, cutting off water and power. With repair efforts deemed unsafe and conditions continuing to deteriorate, the remaining caretakers were evacuated on Dec. 20.

Village officials said winterization efforts were completed to the fullest extent possible before the final evacuation, and that no timeline has been established for reoccupation. Access to Holden Village is not expected to be restored until at least spring, depending on snowmelt and road repair conditions.

At the head of Lake Chelan, Stehekin sustained extensive damage from flooding and debris flows triggered by the same storm systems. Roads, bridges, and other infrastructure were damaged or destroyed, including components of a National Park Service water treatment facility that serves the area.

Stehekin remains accessible only by boat or air, and emergency response has been complicated by its isolation and the scale of the damage. Federal, state, and local agencies have been coordinating assessments and logistical support, though officials have indicated that permanent repairs will likely extend into 2026.

The storms followed an intense wildfire season in the upper Lake Chelan watershed, including large burn scars from recent fires that left hillsides more vulnerable to erosion and debris flows. Officials have said those conditions contributed to the severity of flooding and landslides during the winter weather events.

Chelan County emergency management officials and partner agencies have emphasized that recovery efforts will be gradual, with an initial focus on safety, damage assessment, and restoring limited access where possible. No injuries have been reported in connection with the evacuations.

While Stehekin continues to function in a limited and highly constrained state, Holden Village remains empty, underscoring the scale of disruption caused by the storms in some of the most remote communities in North Central Washington.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media