Beekeeper Loses Dozens of Hives as Floodwaters Sweep Through Bellevue Site

October 2, 2026 - 09:01

A Bellevue beekeeping operation is counting the damage after flooding destroyed dozens of hives, leaving thousands of bees dead and the business facing a long recovery.

The owner said the water rose quickly after heavy rain, catching the apiary off guard. Hives that had been built up over several seasons were submerged or swept away. Many of the colonies did not survive. The loss includes not just the bees but also the wooden boxes, frames, and equipment that keep a honey business running.

Flooding is especially hard on bees because they cannot escape rising water inside a hive. Even colonies that survive the initial event often struggle afterward, since wet hives breed mold and disease. The beekeeper now faces the task of cleaning the site, salvaging what remains, and deciding whether to rebuild before the next season.

Local beekeepers have offered help, but replacing dozens of established colonies takes time and money. Each hive represents months of work, and the bees themselves are not easy to replace in large numbers. The owner said the focus now is on saving any surviving hives and preventing further losses as water levels recede.

The flooding is a reminder of how vulnerable small agricultural operations can be to extreme weather. For this beekeeper, the next few weeks will determine whether the business can recover or has to start over from almost nothing.