CONTACT: Patricia Graesser 206-764-3760, cell 206-229-7087

SEATTLE -- The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, activated its reservoir control center Nov. 11 for 24-hour operation and has flood fight teams out in seven western Washington river basins today. 

Flood teams have deployed to the Snohomish, Nooksack, Puyallup and Skagit river basins and the Olympic Peninsula and are prepared to assist counties as requested in flood fighting operations.  Teams are also on alert for the Chehalis. Additionally, there are teams monitoring the Green River levees.

The reservoir control center is managing flood control operations for dams on the White, Green, Skagit and Wynoochee rivers. Currently high inflows with regulated outflows are occurring each of the dams where the Seattle District is operating. Inflow at Mud Mountain Dam is 19,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) with regulated outflows at 4,000 cfs.  Howard Hanson Dam has inflows of 14,000 cfs with outflow at 4,800 cfs. The Upper Baker and Ross dams in the Upper Skagit have inflows respectively at 14,000 cfs and 12,000 cfs with outflows at 5,200 and 500 cfs. The Corps is also providing flood control operations at the Wynoochee Dam; inflows are 3,700 cfs with outflows at 200 cfs.

According to Paul Komoroske, chief of Emergency Management at the Corps’ office in downtown Seattle, besides the rising river levels, the incoming storm brings debris with it that can affect levees, block drainages and cause roads and areas to flood.

“Our experienced Corps emergency responders are doing direct-assistance flood fighting in Dike District 17 (Skagit) and in Orting, Wash.,” Komoroske said. Teams are expected to work through the night in all the basins where they are deployed.

Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. The purpose is to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage associated with severe weather. The Seattle District has invested $290,000 in flood risk reduction measures since Tuesday.

For more information on the Corps, and up-to-date river forecasts, go to www.nws.usace.army.mil and click on Rivers and Reservoirs. Lake and river information is available at: http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/basins/

Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.
 
The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.