King County Flood Warning Center opens as Tolt River rises with intense rainfall

The King County Flood Warning Center opened late Friday night to monitor what is expected to be brief and minor flooding along the Tolt River.

Heavy localized rainfall in Cascade Range foothills brought the Tolt River near Carnation to a Phase II flood alert level, the level of the county's four-phase warning system at which the Flood Warning Center activates to monitor conditions.

As of 11:45 p.m. Friday, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 2,790 cubic feet per second (cfs). The threshold for a Phase II flood alert level on the Tolt is 2,500 cfs. A few roads in low-lying areas along the Tolt River could see some minor overtopping with floodwaters as a result of the higher stream flow.

Weather patterns suggest that this will be a short-lived and localized flood event, and should not adversely impact property owners or transportation routes within the Tolt River watershed.

Flood Warning Center staff will monitor stream gages and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/warning-system.aspx.

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.

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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County.  The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Visit http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org for more information.

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