King County Flood Warning Center opens as Snoqualmie, Tolt rivers rise on heavy rains

Following intense rainfall across much of eastern King County, the King County Flood Warning Center opened at 8:30 a.m. Monday to monitor rising flows on the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers.

As of 9 a.m., the sum of the forks of the Snoqualmie River was 13,428 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is above the threshold for a Phase II flood alert level. At these flows, minor flooding could be expected in agricultural areas in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Meanwhile, the Tolt River was flowing at 2,920 cfs at 9 a.m., which is a Phase II flood alert level. At this level, very minor flooding could be expected in low-lying areas along the Tolt River.

The current rainfall is not expected to lead to any flooding in the Green River Valley, where the reduced flood-storage capacity at Howard Hanson Dam has led to numerous flood-preparation activities.

A Phase II 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. The center will remain open and continue to monitor the river flooding until conditions improve.

Flood Warning Center staff are monitoring stream gages and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary.

Flood Warning Center staff will continue to monitor stream gages 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

Flood Warning System

Snoqualmie/Skykomish Watershed