Tolt River enters Phase IV flood alert level as King County checks for additional river flooding

7:35 a.m. - Swollen by heavy rainfall, the Tolt River has entered a Phase IV flood alert level, with widespread flooding anticipated in the Tolt watershed

Swollen by heavy rainfall, the Tolt River has entered a Phase IV flood alert level, with widespread flooding anticipated in the Tolt watershed, according to the King County Flood Warning Center, which opened Thursday evening to monitor rising river levels.

As of 7:30 a.m. Friday, the Tolt was flowing at 7,350 cubic feet per second (cfs). The threshold for a Phase IV flood alert level on the Tolt River is 7,000 cfs. At this level, levees along the river near Carnation could overtop and numerous roads can be covered with water.

Flood patrol crews are in the Carnation area to closely monitor the high flows and check for any damage.

The Snoqualmie River remains at a Phase III flood alert level, with minor to moderate flooding across much of the Snoqualmie Valley expected. As of 7 a.m. Friday the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 26,220 cfs, which is above the 20,000 cfs threshold for a Phase III flood alert on the river system.

The Flood Warning Center will remain open and continue to monitor river flooding until conditions improve.

Flood Warning Center staff monitor stream gauges and weather reports, and provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/flood.

Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County Web site at www.kingcounty.gov, or via RPIN, the area's regional Web site at http://www.rpin.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.