Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, January 8, 2009

Rescues under way for people stranded in Stanwood

Water levels on the Snohomish River are predicted to hit new record

By Diana Hefley, Gale Fiege, Eric Stevick and Debra Smith
Herald Writers

 STANWOOD -- Emergency crews are using boats and hovercrafts to reach people stranded by flood waters in Stanwood this morning, and the latest forecasts predict flooding near Snohomish later today could be the worst on record.

At least two water rescue operations were underway this morning outside of Stanwood as the Stillaguamish River continued to rise and spill over its banks. The river is expected to crest at record levels later today.

People were surrounded by four to five-feet of water and asked for help leaving their homes, North County Fire & EMS Battalion Chief Christian Davis said. Rescues were happening on Marine Drive and Thomle Road just south of the city.

City workers along with fire crews have been working to keep flood waters from spilling over Highway 532 near 92nd Avenue NW.

A prison work crew was on the scene assisting with sandbagging. Stanwood officials also are asking anyone who wishes to help to sandbag to call 360-629-2184. Piles of sand are waiting alongside the highway.

Downtown business owners are preparing for the worst too. They’ve surrounded their businesses with sandbags. Firefighters in Stanwood went door-to-door yesterday and advised people to evacuate.

The Stillaguamish River at Arlington is expected to crest at a record 22 feet at 10 a.m. with a later crest in Stanwood at 32 feet, Snohomish County spokesman Christopher Schwarzen said.

The Snohomish River is now forecast to crest in Snohomish tonight at above record levels. The river is expected to reach 35.3 feet at 10 p.m. That would eclipse the previous record of 33.5 feet on Nov. 25, 1990, according to National Weather Service records.

By 9 a.m., it had reached 32.6 feet.

“The Snohomish is running very high,” said Allen Kam, a meteorologist with the Seattle office of the weather service.

And the waters could stick around for a while.

The Snohomish River likely will take a long time returning to its banks because anticipated high tides will act like a dam on the lower river.

People living in a mobile home park along the Pilchuck River have been evacuated after a levee breached on the east bank of the river south of Second Street, Snohomish police Cmdr. George Perillo said.

The worst of the flooding appears to be over this morning in Gold Bar and Sultan.

Gold Bar officials were up most of the night monitoring the Skykomish and two tributaries, Wallace River and May Creek, said Gold Bar mayor Crystal Hill.

“We are hoping the pattern will hold,” she said. “We are pretty comfortable we are nearing the end of this event.”

People living near May Creek saw the tributary flood places locals hadn’t seen in recent memory, she said. At least one family living outside town near Highway 2 had to be rescued from their home just before midnight, as flood waters came up to their door and flowed into their home. Everyone in the family, which included children and a senior, were unhurt.

In Sultan this morning, water crept up Main Street and stopped between Third and Fourth Streets and appears to be receding.

Flooding concerns led district leaders to close schools in Stanwood and Sultan and start classes two hours late in Arlington. Other districts, such as Granite Falls, Monroe and Snohomish, had to use alternative bus routes because of flooding.

Getting around the county was tough this morning -- just like much of the rest of the state.

The mountain passes along U.S. 2 and I-90 remained closed because of avalanche danger. I-5 was closed in southwest Washington because of flooding.

Flood waters also closed Highway 9 north of Arlington this morning, and in numerous places along Highway 530, including at Island Crossing.

About 40 roads throughout the county are closed this morning because of flood waters.

Flooding at Island Crossing also closed the ramps to I-5. The lack of access to Arlington created a traffic jam at 172nd St .NE, as people sought alternate routes to and from the highway.

Drivers are being urged to avoid driving through flood waters.

For a complete list of road closures visit www.snoco.org and www.wsdot.wa.gov.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon declared a state of emergency Wednesday night.

The following shelter have been opened up by the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross: The Rock Church, 16891 146th Street SE, Monroe; Arlington Free Methodist Church, 730 E. Highland Dr., Arlington; and New View Church, 8028 272nd St. N.W., Stanwood.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA