Historic Flooding Threatens Western Washington: What You Need to Know
A second, powerful atmospheric river is impacting Western Washington, bringing the potential for record-breaking floods across multiple river systems.Currently, 18 rivers in the region are forecast to reach major flood stages, demanding immediate attention and preparedness from residents. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, potential impacts, and crucial steps you can take to stay safe.
current Situation & River Forecasts
Relentless precipitation has saturated the ground,and nearly a foot of rain has already fallen in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains in the first ten days of December.This is more than 10% of the average annual rainfall for some areas, arriving in a remarkably short period.
Here’s a breakdown of key river forecasts:
* Skagit River: Expect the river to crest in Concrete on Thursday morning at a staggering 48 feet – 4 to 6 feet above the previous record. Further downstream, Mount Vernon is projected to exceed 42 feet on Friday morning, also surpassing ancient highs by a critically important margin.
* Flash Flood Watch: A rare flash flood watch is in effect for much of Skagit and portions of northern Snohomish counties.
* Other rivers of Concern: The Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Stillaguamish, and Snohomish rivers are all nearing record levels.
* Timing: water levels will peak from Thursday through Friday as the flood surge moves downstream.
Potential Impacts & Safety Measures
Given the extreme water levels, there’s a serious concern about potential levee or dike breaches along the Skagit River Valley. Therefore, if you live near any of these rivers, especially the Skagit, immediate planning is vital.
Here’s what you should do:
* Evacuation Preparedness: Prepare to evacuate to higher ground if you live near a river.
* Heed Evacuation Orders: Absolutely follow all evacuation orders issued by local authorities. Your safety is the top priority.
* Stay Informed: Monitor local news, weather reports, and official emergency management channels for updates.
* Secure Property: Move valuables to higher levels and take steps to protect your home and belongings.
Road closures & Travel Disruptions
Numerous road closures are already in effect across the region. Staying off the roads is crucial for your safety and to allow emergency responders access.
Here are links to road closure data by county:
* Snohomish County: https://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/51965e89fcc8478aa5f87f2d3696efd7
* Unincorporated King county: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/local-services/transit-transportation-roads/roads-and-bridges/road-closures
* Lewis County: https://roads.lewiscountywa.gov/
* Pierce County: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/4906/Pierce-County-Road-Alerts
* Skagit County: https://www.skagitcounty.net/reporting/roadclose/
* State Highways: https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/
**Looking Ahead: A
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