Tolt River reaches Phase IV flood alert level as King County Flood continues monitoring flows

The Tolt River reached a Phase IV flood alert level late Saturday morning, the result of several heavy rainstorms that moved through the area, according to the King County Flood Warning Center, which opened at 5:45 a.m. Saturday to monitor rising rivers throughout the county.

As of 11:15 a.m., the Tolt was flowing at 7,090 cubic feet per second (cfs); a Phase IV flood alert is issued for the Tolt River when flows exceed the 7,000 cfs level.

At these flows, levees along the Tolt River could be overtopped near the City of Carnation, and changes could occur to the river’s channel. Road closures are anticipated in low-lying areas along the river, and motorists are advised to never drive through standing water or around barricades; this is how most lives are lost during flooding.

King County dispatched a flood patrol crew to the Tolt River late Saturday morning to more closely monitor conditions along the river.

Meanwhile, the Snoqualmie River remains at a Phase II flood alert level, with flows increasing on the river. At 11 a.m. Saturday, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 18,850 cfs, which is approaching the 20,000-cfs threshold of a Phase III flood alert. At this level, some minor lowland flooding will occur along the Snoqualmie River Valley, and some roadways will be overtopped by floodwaters.

Flood Warning Center staff will continue to 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.

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.