Rain-swollen Snoqualmie River rises to Phase IV flood alert level as rain pounds King County

Pushed by several inches of rain over the past 24 hours, the Snoqualmie River has surged to a dangerous Phase IV flood alert level, while the Tolt River remains at a Phase IV flood alert level, according to staff at the King County Flood Warning Center. The Flood Warning Center opened at 4 a.m. Wednesday to monitor river levels and flood conditions.

As of 8:45 a.m., the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was at 40,110 cubic feet per second (cfs); the threshold for a Phase IV flood alert level on the Snoqualmie system is 38,000 cfs.

At this level, some residential areas may experience dangerous high velocities and flooding of homes. Road closures are expected to occur as well. For the latest road closure information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/roads.

As of 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 7,590 cfs, well above the 7,000 cfs threshold for a Phase IV flood alert level. At these levels, significant flooding is expected to occur in the Tolt watershed, including in the City of Carnation.

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 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.

Related Information:

Flooding Services and Information

River and Floodplain Management Section

Water and Land Resources Division