Snoqualmie River up to Phase 3 flood alert as storm’s impacts continue on King County rivers

February 7, 2020

Summary

The King County Flood Warning Center issued a Phase 3 flood alert for the Snoqualmie River at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, as flows remain elevated on rivers across the county following a powerful winter storm that dropped several inches of rainfall and led to widespread minor to severe flooding Feb. 5-6.

Story

The King County Flood Warning Center issued a Phase 3 flood alert for the Snoqualmie River at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, with moderate widespread flooding possible along the river – including some road closures. The Flood Warning Center has been operating ‘round the clock since the early evening hours of Wednesday when heavy rainfall brought several rivers up to a minor flood alert level.

As of 11:45 p.m. on Feb. 6, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 21,970 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase 3 flood alert threshold of 20,000 CFS. At these flows, widespread flooding could occur throughout the Snoqualmie Valley, with road closures likely. 

Rivers across King County are flowing at various flood phases. Most significantly, the Cedar River continues at a Phase 4 flood alert level, with significant impacts along the river between Maple Valley and Renton, including numerous road closures.

The Tolt River is at a Phase 3 flood alert level, with flooding on several stretches of the river. Issaquah Creek and the White River are at Phase 2 flood alert levels, with minor flooding possible along those waterways.

King County Flood patrol crews will be in the field overnight to monitor flood conditions and report any problems to the Flood Warning Center. The Center will remain open as long as flood conditions persist. 

Employees will monitor stream gauges and weather reports and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at kingcounty.gov/flood.

Reach the Flood Warning Center at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Interpreter assistance in multiple languages is available.

King County offers everyone free access to KC Flood Alerts, an automated system that allows subscribers to receive customized email, text or voicemail alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s seven major river systems.

Find the KC Flood Alerts link at kingcounty.gov/flood. This website is a valuable preparedness resource, with all of the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links.

Questions or assistance with flooding on smaller streams or urban drainage problems can be called in to 206-477-4811 during business hours, or 206-477-8100 after hours or on weekends.

Problems on County maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-477-8100 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. Information is available at kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.