News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  Nov. 12, 2008

Heavy rain, flooded roadways prompting major travel headaches in King County

Motorists heading out for the afternoon commute should be on the lookout for a variety of travel hazards, as rain continues to pound many parts of King County.

King County road crews are responding to numerous flood-related problems this afternoon, the most severe resulting from rising floodwaters on the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. So far, 16 roads have been closed in unincorporated areas of East King County due to the storm.

The rising water is the result of heavy rain that moved into the Cascade foothill areas yesterday and has continued for much of today. The rising rivers prompted King County’s Flood Warning Center to be activated at 4 a.m. this morning. Since that time, county crews have been monitoring conditions and keeping the public informed of the flood situation.

Currently, Phase Four flood alerts remain in effect for the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. That alert level means residents living in the Snoqualmie Valley should be aware of severe flooding and additional road closures as the high flows make their way downstream. At this time, the National Weather Service is predicting a crest at Snoqualmie Falls at about 4 p.m. this afternoon with a crest downstream at Carnation tomorrow morning.

As the rivers rise downstream, motorists should expect additional road closures in the Snoqualmie Valley that may last a couple of days or more depending on how quickly the water recedes. If you must drive in areas being impacted by flooding, you are reminded never to drive around barricades or through standing water.

Road crews are also chasing numerous local flooding problems. Urban flooding has caused ponding on arterials and residential streets in many areas of the county. Residents can help minimize those impacts by removing leaves and other debris from neighborhood storm drains and catch basins.

Until conditions improve, residents are encouraged to monitor the latest weather reports, river conditions and road alerts. Real-time river level information is available online by visiting:

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

Residents are encouraged to report road problems on roads in unincorporated King County by calling (206) 296-8100 or 1-800 KC ROADS if they live outside the greater Seattle calling area. Motorists can also monitor the latest road closures in unincorporated King County by going to:

http://your.kingcounty.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/.

Residents in affected areas can also get updated information by visiting RPIN, the area's regional Web site at www.govlink.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.