King County Flood Warning Center raises flood alert level on Green River, Issaquah Creek

King County has issued a Phase Three flood alert for the Green River after heavy rain raised river levels throughout Western Washington.

Some minor flooding could be expected in the Green River Valley above Auburn as a result of the high flows. King County crews have been monitoring flood-control facilities in the Green River Valley, such as levees, to ensure they are working properly.

The Green is one of several rivers that staff at the King County Flood Warning Center have been closely monitoring since the center opened at 6 a.m. today. The Snoqualmie, Tolt and White rivers have all remained at the lower Phase Two flood level all day, while Issaquah Creek was added to the Phase Two flood alert list earlier this evening.

As of 8:30 p.m., the Green River was flowing at 9,140 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Auburn, exceeding the Phase Three flood alert threshold of 9,000 cfs. Officials expect the flow to reach 9,500 cfs by late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates flood control dams on the Green and White rivers, and only minor flooding is expected to occur along the two rivers.

As of 9 p.m., flows were dropping in the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers, where only minor flooding was expected. Water levels in both rivers were dropping and were expected to remain at Phase Two status for the immediate future.

King County has established a four-phase warning system to monitor lowland flooding on major rivers and streams. The Flood Warning Center will remain open and continue to monitor river flooding until conditions improve.

The Roads Division reports local road flooding, mudslides and downed trees in many areas of King County. Motorists are urged to use extra caution when traveling today and are reminded to never drive around barricades or through standing water. For the latest in road closure information, visit the Regional Public Information Network website at RPIN.org. If you spot a problem on a road maintained by King County, report it by calling 206-296-6515 or 1-800 KC ROADS if you live outside the greater Seattle calling area.

Real-time river level information is available online by visiting: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

King County is advising residents living or traveling in flood-prone areas to continue to monitor weather conditions and be on the look out for road closures.

Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site at www.metrokc.gov, or can visit RPIN, the area's regional Web site at www.govlink.org. Road closures and other emergency information will be posted on the RPIN Web site as it becomes available.

A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932.