More rain expected as county rivers rise

Published 11:22 pm Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rain that has fallen throughout the week continued to pummel the Puget Sound region Thursday, but weather experts say the worst of it was expected to sweep through overnight and into this morning.

People who took the time to clear leaves and other debris from storm drains near their homes aren’t likely to wake up to flooded streets today, said John Pennington, Snohomish County’s director of Emergency Management. Puddles were expected to grow and flow across roads, especially in areas where storm drainage systems are easily clogged or filled to capacity.

Rain, anywhere from 1 to 10 inches, depending on the forecast, was expected to push both forks of the Stillaguamish River near its banks by about 4 this morning.

The Stillaguamish near Arlington was expected to reach flood stage about midnight Thursday and remain high into this afternoon. The Skykomish River was expected to crest in the late morning near Gold Bar. Downstream, the Snohomish River was expected to crest at 10 p.m. today near Monroe and early Saturday morning at Snohomish. The Snohomish is heavily influenced by tides.

The high water is expected to cover some low-lying fields in the Snohomish River valley and to top dikes near Silvana along the lower Stillaguamish.

The weather system is changing so quickly that there are no guarantees, said Dennis D’Amico a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

“At this point, the forecast is not for flooding, but everybody is still in flood watch,” D’Amico said. “The computers we use haven’t given us a clear signal as to where the heaviest rain will definitely fall.”

The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center on Thursday afternoon, but forecasts were changing too quickly for officials to know what to expect, Pennington said.

“These storms are very difficult to forecast at this point,” Pennington said. “The rain levels and the general direction of the storm have been vague, so we’re taking a very cautious, proactive approach.”

The weather system is identical to the one that blew across the region exactly two years ago, when Snohomish County experienced widespread, devastating floods, Pennington said. The difference this year is that most of the county’s rivers have plenty of room in their beds to rise significantly before spilling over, he said.

The areas most at risk are city streets, thanks to a glut of fallen leaves and storm drainage systems that might not be able to hold all this water. City, county and state crews headed out into the wind and wet early this week to sweep away sopping piles of leaves.

“People can help to be part of the solution by cleaning up the storm drains in their neighborhoods,” said Jeff Switzer, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

In the first week after the return to standard time means darker afternoons. Combined with slick roads, drivers should be extra cautious, Switzer said. Ease cautiously through standing water because it might be deeper than it seems, and leave extra space between cars to stop.

“Check the forecast, keep on eye on traffic conditions, and be prepared,” Switzer said.

Everett and other lowland cities, towns and communities are expected to get 1 to 2 inches of rain overnight, D’Amico said. The heavy rain could continue until Saturday, but even a break from the downpour is expected to bring showers, he said. Another series of rainstorms could move through the area next week.

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.