‘Major flooding’ in Snoqualmie River as overnight rain slows morning commute
Oct 22, 2019, 6:31 AM | Updated: 12:50 pm
Flooding in Snohomish County. (Snohomish County Fire District 19)
(Snohomish County Fire District 19)
The Snoqualmie River is overflowing after four inches of rain in the Cascades, with “major flooding” hitting the region Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
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King County sent out an alert shortly before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, stating that the Snoqualmie River had “reached flood phase 4.” That means “dangerous high velocities” for floodwaters, and the potential for “significant road closures.”
Major flooding was expected near Carnation and Snoqualmie in King County, causing slowdowns for the morning commute. Various roads saw closures from Fall City through Carnation to Duvall.
“Local roads and low-lying areas near flooded rivers may be covered in water this morning,” said the NWS on Twitter. “It’s impossible to see in the dark. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn around and find another route.”
As water began ponding on major roads and freeways, the NWS recommended drivers turn on headlights, reduce speed, and allow for plenty of space from other vehicles.
The NWS noted that the Snoqualmie River “has a chance to get into the top ten flows of all time at Snoqualmie Falls.”
The Snoqualmie River has a chance to get into the top ten flows of all time at Snoqualmie Falls. The current forecast is for a crest of just under 50,000 cfs, which would be the 11th highest flow. Major flooding is forecast.
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 22, 2019
The river should fall below flood stage by Tuesday night.
The Tolt River also flooded overnight, sending water over a number of driveways, and reaching “flood phase 3.” That typically brings “flood flows in low-lying areas along the river upstream of Carnation,” and the potential for “some road closures.”
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Moderate flooding is expected for the Tolt near Carnation in King County, and for the Skykomish River near Gold Bar in Snohomish County. The flood warning for the Stillaguamish River was upgraded to moderate severity as well.
Minor flooding is in the forecast for these rivers.
Rain on Monday was significant throughout Western Washington, with Forks getting one of its top 10 wettest days with over 5 inches of rain for the day. That has Forks measuring its total rainfall for October in feet, with over 12 inches of rain in the last three weeks.
Four to six inches of rain fell over the Olympics and north-central Cascades Monday.
