14 million bees escape when truck overturns in Whatcom County, WA
70,000 pounds of bees escape after semi overturns in Whatcom County, WA
A truck carrying 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives overturned in Whatcom County, closing Weidkamp Road and releasing millions of bees.
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. - A truck carrying 70,000 pounds of bees overturned on Weidkamp Road near Lynden, closing the road for up to 48 hours as master beekeepers work to re-hive the bees. An estimated 14 million honey bees escaped. Initial reports from responding agencies had a much higher estimate of 250 million.
"Thank you to those who challenged the math and helped us get closer to the true number," said a representative for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office on Saturday.
Keep reading to learn more about the accident and when drivers can expect the road to reopen.
Millions of bees escaped after a commercial truck overturned on May 30, 2025 in Whatcom County, Washington. (Whatcom County Sheriff's Office)
What we know:
Weidkamp Road near Lynden is expected to remain closed for 24 to 48 hours after a commercial truck hauling an estimated 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives overturned around 4 a.m. Friday.
The road is closed between Loomis Trail Road and West Badger, and authorities are advising the public to avoid the area by at least 200 yards, including Berthusen Park.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies, Whatcom County Public Works and several bee experts responded to the scene. Shortly after 9 a.m., the hives came off the truck, freeing the live bees.
Commercial vehicle full of bees rolls over in Whatcom County, Washington on May 30, 2025. (Whatcom County Sheriff's Office)
Dig deeper:
Master beekeepers are on scene, with more en route, to assist in re-setting the box hives.
The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee, a process expected to take 24 to 48 hours. The primary goal is to save as many of the bees as possible.
10:15 a.m. on May 31
The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office now reports the number of bees that escaped from an overturned truck was closer to 14 million, as opposed to the initial belief that roughly 250 million bees were involved in the crash.
"CORRECTION: initial information on the number of bees in Friday's rollover crash was inaccurate. We have since learned that a more accurate total is far fewer than first estimated - closer to 14 million, according to one of the beekeepers doing recovery work on-site today," read a post from WCSO, in part, on Sunday.
5:30 p.m. on May 30
Beekeepers remain on scene working to capture the bees, which were originally being transported to pollinate at different fields.
"Bees was not on my bingo card for today," said Matt Klein, deputy director of emergency management for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. "The thought is that as the temperatures drop, the bees will go back into the hives that they've managed to set back up from the truck and recover, because the bees know where their home is, and you know, hopefully they'll be able to get them back loaded up tomorrow and then able to get back out to doing the work that the bees need to do."
It's believed Weidkamp Road will remain closed through Saturday morning or early afternoon. People living in the area can still pass through.
Semi crash releases 250 million bees in Whatcom County
Weidkamp Road in Whatcom County is closed between Loomis Trail and West Badger Road after a semi-truck carrying 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives overturned early this morning.
4:20 p.m.
New video from the scene showed bees buzzing around as people worked to restore the hive boxes.
Deputies say more than two dozen people showed up to help ensure the rescue of millions of the pollinating honey bees.
They said on-site work was finished for the day. Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use.
"By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives and those responsible for their delivery will be in charge. Until the rescue is complete, and at least into Saturday, Weidkamp Road will remain closed."
1:30 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is aware of the situation and posted to X Friday reminding people to avoid the area.
10:30 a.m.
As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, deputies turned the scene over to the WCSO Division of Emergency Management (DEM), which is being assisted by the master beekeepers.
While there is no general health risk to the public, individuals allergic to bee stings or those with concerns are advised to consult the State Department of Health webpage on bees and wasps, specifically the "Protection guidance" section.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
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