King County opens Flood Warning Center to monitor flows on Tolt, Snoqualmie rivers

The King County Flood Warning Center opened at 4 a.m. Wednesday to monitor flooding on the Tolt and Snoqualmie rivers, and to prepare for the possibility of significant flooding on other rivers later today as heavy rain is expected across the region.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 4,680 cubic feet per second (cfs). The threshold for a Phase III flood alert level on the Tolt is 4,500 cfs. Some roads in low-lying areas could close as a result of the higher stream flow.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was flowing at 12,170 cfs, which is just above the Phase II flood alert level of 12,000 cfs for that river system. Both rivers are rising fast, due to the heavy rainfall.

A Phase Two 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 are monitoring stream gauges and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary.

Flood patrol crews will also begin monitoring conditions from the field at first light this morning.

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 at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

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.

Related Information:

Flooding Services and Information

River and Floodplain Management Section

Water and Land Resources Division