Heavy weekend rainfall results in Tolt River phase two flood warning

King County activated its Flood Warning Center at 8:30 a.m. on Monday to monitor minor flooding on the Tolt River. Heavy rainfall over the weekend in some portions of King County raised the Tolt into a Phase Two flood warning stage.

As of 7:45 a.m. today, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 3,510 cubic feet per second (cfs). The threshold for a Phase Two flood warning is 2,500 cfs. Some roads in low-lying areas could close as a result of the higher stream flow, however no closures have been announced at this time.

A Phase Two warning on any major King County river is the level of the county's four-phase warning system at which the Flood Warning Center is activated to monitor lowland flooding. It will remain open and continue to monitor the river flooding until conditions improve. Flood Warning Center staff will monitor stream gauges and weather reports and provide updated information on river conditions as necessary.

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. 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. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.