Nov. 5 – 1 p.m.
King County closed its Flood Warning Center at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, after slightly more than 24 hours of operation in response to widespread river flooding from a powerful rainstorm.
The Flood Warning Center opened at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, to monitor rapidly rising river flows across King County as strong atmospheric river overran the region.
The Snoqualmie River reached a Phase 4 flood alert, indicating major widespread flooding was possible along the river, while the Tolt River reached a Phase 2 flood alert level with minor flooding. The White River reached a Phase 2 flood alert level, with minor flooding near the City of Pacific. The Skykomish River in northeastern King County also reached a Phase 2 flood alert level.
Flows were slowly climbing at midday Saturday on the Snoqualmie River near Duvall as the flood crest makes its way downstream toward Snohomish County. Snoqualmie River levels upstream of Duvall have dropped substantially, and the forecast of cooler weather with just scattered rain showers make it clear that the threat of immediate additional flooding has passed for now.
Several road closures from high water occurred the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. Be sure to check out the latest in road closure information at Kingcounty.gov/MyCommute. To report a road-related issue, email Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov, or call the 24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.
Don’t forget: King County offers KC Flood Alerts that gives subscribers customized flood level information on all of King County’s major rivers, plus Issaquah Creek. It’s free and available at kingcounty.gov/flood, where you’ll also see detailed flood preparedness information as well as updates on river levels, river forecast information, road conditions and more.
Nov. 4 – 9 p.m.
UPDATE: Snoqualmie River rises to Phase 4 flood alert – widespread flooding possible
King County’s Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 4 flood alert for the Snoqualmie River, with major, widespread flooding now possible throughout the Snoqualmie Valley, including numerous road closures.
At 8:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was at 39,480 cubic feet per second (CFS), well clear of the Phase 4 threshold of 38,000 CFS. At these flows, roads at risk of overtopping with floodwaters include Southeast Reinig Road, Moon Valley Road, Southeast Fish Hatchery Road, Northeast 124th Street and the Woodinville-Duvall Road.
Between the floodwaters and high winds, chances are pretty good there are plenty more roads that could be closed. Be sure to check out road closure information at Kingcounty.gov/MyCommute. To report a road-related issue, email Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov, or call the 24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.
Rivers and streams across King County continue to run high and swift from this major atmospheric river. The White, Tolt and Skykomish rivers are all at Phase 2 flood alert levels, with minor flooding possible in low-lying areas along those systems.
The Flood Warning Center will be staffed 24/7 as long as conditions warrant. You can reach Flood Warning Center employees at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Get real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.
UPDATE: White River up to Phase 2 flood alert, with minor flooding along river near Auburn, Pacific
Nov. 4 – 5:10 p.m.
Heavy rainfall across King County continues to send flows higher on many rivers, and the Flood Warning Center has now issued a Phase 2 flood alert for the White River, with the potential for minor flooding along the river in Auburn and Pacific.
At 5 p.m. Friday, the White River at Mud Mountain Dam southeast of Enumclaw was flowing at 5,310 cubic feet per second (CFS) – pushing flows past the Phase 2 flood alert level of 5,000 CFS. At these flows, some overbank flooding is possible near the A Street Bridge in Auburn, and near Government Canal and Butte Avenue in Pacific. The temporary flood protection barriers along the river in downtown Pacific could also experience high water.
River levels continue to rise on rivers across King County. With a reading of 34,300 CFS on the river’s three forks, the Snoqualmie is nearing the Phase 4 flood alert threshold of 38,000 CFS, which would signify severe flooding.
Flows on the Tolt River eased briefly this afternoon, but they’re now on the rise again. The Tolt River at 5 p.m. was at a Phase 2 flood alert level of 4,680 CFS, which is just shy of the Phase 3 flood alert level of 5,000 CFS.
Even at the current flows, road closures are possible in low-lying areas along rivers and streams, so be sure to check out road closure information at Kingcounty.gov/MyCommute. To report a road-related issue, email Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov, or call the 24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.
The Flood Warning Center will be staffed 24/7 as long as conditions warrant. You can reach Flood Warning Center employees at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Get real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.
UPDATE: Phase 3 flood alert now for the Snoqualmie River, with more impacts, including potential road closures
Nov. 4 – 1 p.m.
As expected, the Snoqualmie River is now at a Phase 3 flood alert, with the potential for moderate and widespread flooding in low-lying areas of the Snoqualmie Valley – including possible road closures.
As of 12:30 p.m., the sum of the Snoqualmie’s three forks was at 22,760 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase 3 flood alert level of 20,000 CFS.
At these flows, we could start to see flooding of varied depths across the Snoqualmie Valley, which means plenty of potential impacts to travel. Roads that can overtop once the Snoqualmie River reaches these flows include Fall City-Carnation Road, West Snoqualmie River Road Southeast between Southeast 24th Street and Northeast Tolt Hill Road, Northeast Tolt Hill Road and Novelty Flats Road.
Find the latest road closure information at Kingcounty.gov/MyCommute. Please adhere to all emergency road closures, and never drive around emergency barriers or signs and onto flooded roadways. River flooding can be incredibly powerful, and the erosive force of flowing water can severely damage roadways.
To report a road-related issue, email Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov, or call the 24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.
Don’t forget – the King County Flood Warning Center is open to monitor conditions, coordinate flood patrol crews, and answer your questions about this current flood event. You can reach Flood Warning Center employees at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Get real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.
UPDATE: Tolt River rises to Phase 2 flood alert, with minor flooding possible
Nov. 4 – 12 p.m.
The Tolt River has joined the Snoqualmie at a Phase 2 flood alert level … but not for long. Flows on the Snoqualmie are really rocketing upward from this powerful atmospheric river that’s slamming into western Washington this morning, and it’s only a matter of time before the Snoqualmie River reaches a moderate flood phase.
The King County Flood Warning Center is open to monitor conditions, coordinate flood patrol crews, and answer your questions about this current flood event. You can reach Flood Warning Center employees at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. You can also get real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.
Back to the Tolt: at Phase 2, we could expect to start seeing levee seepage on the river’s south bank between the Snoqualmie Valley Trail bridge and the Highway 203 bridge near 323rd Place Southeast. Expect additional levee seepage with potential impacts to public and private property in the coming hours as heavy rainfall continues and rivers rise.
A reminder from our colleagues at King County Parks: the gate, parking lot and boat launch are all closed at Tolt-MacDonald Park, which sits in a beautiful location at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers, but often sees floodwaters from both rivers this time of year. Check out the King County Parks Twitter feed for additional flood closures.
King County opens Flood Warning Center as atmospheric river sends stream flows soaring
Nov. 4 – 10:45 a.m.
King County has opened its Flood Warning Center for the second time this week and is closely monitoring river flooding from a massive atmospheric river that’s bringing heavy rainfall and higher stream flows across much of the region.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks measured at 12,140 cubic feet per second (CFS); that’s slightly higher than the Phase 2 threshold of 12,000 CFS. That’s the flow level on the Snoqualmie when we might start seeing some impacts to low-lying areas along the river, including potential floodwater over fields and roadways.
Based on weather forecasts, this looks like just the beginning of our flood-monitoring work for this particular storm; forecasts call for the Snoqualmie River to rise much higher later today – potentially beyond the Phase 4 flood alert threshold of 38,000 CFS, which would mean significant widespread flooding across the Snoqualmie Valley.
And it’s not just the Snoqualmie River that’s expected to flood during this rain event: the Tolt, Green and White rivers are all expected to rise to Phase 2 flood alert levels, with the Tolt River potentially rising well into a moderate flood phase. Find real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.
Our Flood Warning Center operates ‘round the clock during these flood events; employees are monitoring stream gauges and keeping an eye on weather reports and other information from colleagues with the National Weather Service and Northwest River Forecast Center. Employees are also in close contact with dam operators, emergency response organizations and others to help ensure continued public safety.
Contact the Flood Warning Center at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263 to get the latest information on flood conditions or ask questions about river flooding. You can also access our recorded message center using that phone number and get updates of river gauge readings, flood phases, and other related information.
We’ll have flood patrol crews in the field during this flood to check on conditions and to update Flood Warning Center workers.
Don’t forget – King County offers everyone free access to KC Flood Alerts that offers flood alerts on King County major river systems.
Sign up for KC Flood Alerts and receive immediate notifications about pending high water via email, text or voicemail on any or all of the major river systems in the county, plus Issaquah Creek.
We’ll be posting updates to this blog throughout the current flood event.