King County Flood Warning Center opens as Tolt, Snoqualmie rivers rise from heavy rainfall

Heavy rainfall early Saturday morning brought the Tolt River up to a Phase III flood alert level, while the Snoqualmie River reached Phase II flood alert level, according to the King County Flood Warning Center, which opened at 5:45 a.m. Saturday to monitor stream flows.

As of 7:15 a.m. Saturday, the Tolt was flowing at 5,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). A Phase III flood alert is issued for the Tolt when flows exceed 4,500 cfs. At this level, floodwaters could be expected to inundate roads in the San Souci neighborhood.

The sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 14,510 cfs at 7:15 a.m. Saturday. A Phase II flood alert is issued for the Snoqualmie when the sum flow of the forks reaches 12,000 cfs. At this level, some minor lowland flooding could be expected along the Snoqualmie River Valley, and some roadways could be overtopped by floodwaters.

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.