Seattle Times Earns Pulitzer Nod for Devastating Flood Coverage
The Seattle Times has been named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for its coverage of the devastating Western Washington floods last December. The judges praised the newspaper’s real-time reporting, which warned residents, shared survivors’ stories and explained how extreme weather led to the crisis.
This marks the 16th time the paper has reached the finals, with 11 previous wins in its history.
A series of atmospheric rivers struck Western Washington in December, triggering record-breaking floods. Emergency crews ordered tens of thousands to evacuate as water levels rose, with hundreds later needing rescue.
Reporters from The Times waded through floodwaters and stayed in shelters alongside displaced families. They provided non-stop live updates for over a week, publishing more than 100 stories on the disaster. The team also exposed weaknesses in emergency response and used graphics to show the scale of destruction. Two levees collapsed during the flooding—one near Tukwila, the other in Pacific—forcing further evacuations. Around 4,000 homes suffered damage, and some residents still cannot return months later.
The Pulitzer committee highlighted The Times’ work for its immediate impact and detailed reporting. The newspaper’s coverage helped communities understand the disaster as it unfolded. Many in the region continue to recover from the floods’ lasting effects.
