King County activates Flood Warning Center as Tolt River passes Phase II flood alert level

Heavy rainfall has prompted King County to issue a Phase II flood alert level for the Tolt River late Sunday morning.
King County activated its Flood Warning Center at 11:30 a.m. to monitor rising water levels the Tolt and all other major river systems within the county.

A Phase II flood alert level means minor flooding can be expected in low-lying areas with the possibility of road closures in the vicinity of the Tolt River.

At 11:30 a.m., the Tolt River was flowing at 2,540 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Carnation. A Phase II flood alert on the Tolt is declared when flows reach 2,500 cfs.

A Phase II 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.

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. Motorists are reminded never to drive through standing water or around barricades; this is how most lives are lost during flooding.

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.