SEATTLE -- Although Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said the damage to Interstate 5 at Chehalis is not as bad as feared, and it's possible there could be one lane open in each direction by late Thursday, camera images from the Department of Transportation Web site show water, mud and damage to that section of the freeway.

Hammond, speaking at a news conference in Olympia with Gov. Chris Gregoire and other officials, said crews are making repairs as the water recedes.

In the meantime, passenger vehicles can use State Route 7 to bypass the closure, but WSDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area if possible to help keep State Route 7 open for emergency vehicles, delivery of relief supplies, local residents and trucks.

If traveling that area is a necessity, WSOT officials said encourage drivers to use Interstate routes as primary detours.

Primary Routes:

From Seattle, drivers in Central Puget Sound area traveling south towards Oregon are advised to use I-90 east to Ellensburg, then south on I-82 through Yakima toward the Tri-Cities to Umatilla, Oregon, then west on I-84 to I-5 near Portland.

From I-5 in Portland, drivers traveling north to Central Puget Sound, the detour is east on I-84 to Umatilla, Ore., then north on I-82 toward the Tri-Cities, through Yakima to Ellensburg and then west on I-90 to I-5 in Seattle.

From South Thurston County, the detour is I-5 northbound to Seattle then use I-90 east to Ellensburg, then south on I-82 through Yakima toward the Tri-Cities to Umatilla, Ore., then west on I-84 to I-5 near Portland

From South Lewis County/US 12 White Pass Highway, take I-5 south to Portland, and then the detour is east on I-84 to Umatilla, Ore., then north on I-82 toward the Tri-Cities, through Yakima to Ellensburg and then west on I-90 to I-5 in Seattle.

Secondary Routes:

US 12 White Pass Highway and US 97 Satus Pass can be considered. Be advised these are two-lane mountain pass highways with limited passing opportunities and should only be considered for use by emergency vehicles, local residents or drivers who are familiar with the area.