Rain pushes Tolt River to Phase IV flood alert level; Snoqualmie up to Phase III as rainfall continues

King County Flood Warning Center staff say continued heavy rainfall early Wednesday morning has pushed the Tolt River to a Phase IV flood alert level, while the fast-rising Snoqualmie River has risen to a Phase III flood alert level.

As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 7,150 cubic feet per second (cfs). The threshold for a Phase IV flood alert level on the Tolt is 7,000 cfs. At these levels, significant flooding is expected to occur in the Tolt watershed, including in the City of Carnation.

As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was flowing at 22,860 cfs, which is well above the Phase III flood alert threshold of 20,000 cfs for that river system. At this flow level, minor to moderate flooding is expected to occur throughout the Snoqualmie Valley.

Flows on all King County rivers are rising, due to the heavy rainfall.

The King County Flood Warning Center was opened at 4 a.m. Wednesday to more closely monitor stream gauges and weather reports, and to coordinate its response to this flood event. Flood Warning Center staff 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