The King County Flood Warning Center, which has been monitoring rain-swollen rivers since early Wednesday morning, has issued a Phase II flood alert level for the Green River.
Only minor flooding is expected as a result of controlled increased flows on the Green River, and only in the primarily rural areas without river levees upstream of Auburn.
Flows on the Green River are expected to reach or exceed 7,000 cubic feet per second at the Auburn gage sometime early Thursday morning, as a result of the planned releases from Howard Hanson Dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ flood-control dam in the upper Green River watershed.
Meanwhile, the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers remain at Phase III flood alert levels, with some flooding noted in low-lying areas. Flood patrol crews have been in the field monitoring conditions since mid-afternoon Wednesday.
King County staff will continue to monitor stream gages and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/flood.
Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County website at www.kingcounty.gov or via RPIN, the area’s regional website at www.rpin.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.
Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.
An automated flood alert system is now available and provides real-time warning of potential high water on more than a half-dozen rivers. King County residents and business owners can sign up to receive King County Flood Alerts by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/flood, or by calling 206-263-3400 during regular business hours to register by phone. Messages of potential high flows on any of King County’s major river systems can be sent by phone, text or email.
