Phase II flood alerts issued for Green, White rivers

Snoqualmie remains at Phase III, Tolt Phase II, as King County monitors flows

Scheduled water releases from dams on the Green and White rivers have brought flows on these two rivers into a Phase II flood alert level, according to the King County Flood Warning Center. A Phase III flood alert level remains in place on the Snoqualmie River, while the Tolt River remains at Phase II flood alert level.

As of 10:30 a.m., the White River was flowing at 7,400 cubic feet per second (cfs), well above the 6,000 cfs threshold for a Phase II declaration. At this water level, roads may be overtopped in the Red Creek area, downstream from Mud Mountain Dam.

Scheduled releases from Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River are expected to bring flows of about 7,000 cfs to the Auburn gauge later today. At this water level, which is the threshold for declaring a Phase II flood alert level, minor lowland flooding could be expected in the Green River valley upstream of Auburn.

Meanwhile, the Snoqualmie River remains at a Phase III flood alert level, with a number of roads closed due to high water. At 11:30 a.m., the sum flow of the three forks of the Snoqualmie was 20,200 cfs and dropping, however, flows continue to rise upstream at Snoqualmie Falls. The threshold between a Phase II and Phase III flood alert level on the Snoqualmie is 20,000 cfs.

The Tolt River remains at a Phase II flood alert level, with only minor flooding reported. At 11 a.m., the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 2,610 cfs and dropping.

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. The center has been open since 11 a.m. Sunday. Real-time river level information is available online by visiting: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

A number of roads are affected by high flows. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.

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.