Overview
- A commercial truck carrying roughly 70,000 pounds of bee hives rolled over on Weidkamp Road near Lynden at about 4 a.m. Friday, releasing an estimated 250 million honeybees.
- Local deputies, county public works crews and over two dozen volunteer beekeepers recovered, restored and reset the box hives to contain the swarm.
- Authorities expect most bees to return to their hives and reunite with their queen within 24 to 48 hours, maximizing colony survival.
- Weidkamp Road remains closed between Loomis Trail and West Badger until the bee rescue operation is complete.
- Officials advise residents to stay at least 180 meters from the scene to avoid swarms but say there is no general health risk to the public.