Snow, rain, flooding still causing major problems for Washington
Feb 9, 2017, 7:39 AM | Updated: 2:29 pm
Areas of Whatcom County have snow drifts several feet high. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
For many, the snow that hit earlier this week is long gone. But in Whatcom County, it’s stuck around long enough to cause concern.
A State of Emergency was declared for the county because of snow, wind, and freezing rain.
Flood Advisory for rain and snowmelt is expected to end around 10 p.m.
The severe weather in Whatcom County forced school districts to close for the fourth day this week. In Lynden, for example, there are 3-to-6-foot snow drifts that have buried vehicles.
Problems on the passes
State transportation officials closed three of the state’s main mountain passes due to snow slides and avalanche danger.
I-90 was closed Wednesday night over Snoqualmie Pass due to avalanche danger at the summit.
Highway 2 is closed over Stevens Pass due to avalanche danger, after briefly reopening Thursday morning.
Stevens Pass ski resort reported it was closed Thursday due to hazardous conditions.
Due to conditions and highway closures we will not be opening today. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
— Stevens Pass (@StevensPass) February 9, 2017
Highway 12 over White Pass was shut down after multiple snow slides.
“We all want this open … it’s just tough to do when you’ve got snow coming down and you’ve got this heavy top layer. So they’re going to have their experts take a look at it as soon as they can, and as soon as they can safely,” Washington State Trooper Rick Johnson said.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Sevigney tweeted Wednesday night, “Alternate route to west Washington…try Oregon.”
The Washington State Department of Transportation says it will have crews evaluate conditions later this morning.
Warming up
Though it may feel like we’re still in the middle of a winter storm for some, things are warming up.
The warm front, which brought snow to areas in the north, will lift temperatures into the high 40s to the low 50s for the rest of the week.
Rain will replace snow for most areas of Western Washington. Luckily, things should start to dry out a bit over the weekend, according to KIRO 7.
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