Minor flooding noted on Snoqualmie River

King County opened its Flood Warning Center at 9 p.m. Friday evening to monitor what is expected to be minor flooding conditions on the Snoqualmie River this weekend. Heavy snowmelt caused by unseasonably warm temperatures led to the minor flood conditions.

As of 8:45 p.m. Friday, the sum of the three forks of the Snoqualmie River was 13,530 cubic feet per second (CFS), surpassing the Phase II flood alert level threshold of 12,000 cfs for the Snoqualmie system.

The Flood Warning Center opens whenever any of King County’s major rivers are expected to enter the Phase II flood alert level.

Flood Warning Center staff anticipate the White River will enter a Phase II flood alert level later this evening or early Saturday morning.

Flood Warning Center staff will continue to monitor stream gauges and weather reports and provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

King County is warning residents that rivers are running deep, cold and swift. Even though air temperatures may be unseasonably warm, rivers, lakes and Puget Sound remain extremely cold. Public Health – Seattle & King County urges everyone to use extreme precaution in activities around open water.

The King County Flood Warning Center will remain open for the duration of this current minor flood event.

Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site at www.metrokc.gov, or can visit 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.