3 county rivers expected to flood

Three Snohomish County rivers were expected to overflow their banks today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Snohomish River near Monroe is expected to crest about 20 feet at around 5 p.m. today. At 5 p.m. Friday, the river was at about 13 feet. Flood level is 14 feet, and major flooding begins at 17 feet.

* At 14 feet, pastureland floods.

* At 15 feet, roads close to the river are covered with water.

* At 17 feet, the flooding can damage farmland, roads and some residential areas. Also, dikes could fail.

* At 22 feet, the flooding would require the evacuation of people and livestock.

The Skykomish River at Gold Bar was expected to crest at 19.5 feet at 3:30 a.m. today. At 5 p.m. Friday, the river was at about 13 feet. Flood level is 15 feet, and major flooding occurs at 19 feet.

* At 15 feet, pastures flood.

* At 16 feet, Ben Howard Road and Sportmen’s Park flood.

* At 17 feet, flooding occurs from Index to Sultan, with swift water covering roads and entering some residential areas of Sultan.

* At 19 feet, floodwaters inundate Sultan and surrounding roads, and some residential areas of Monroe.

The Stillaguamish River near Arlington was expected to crest at around 17.5 feet at 4 a.m. today. At 4:30 p.m. Friday, it was at 131/2 feet. Flood level is 14 feet, and major flooding occurs at 19 feet.

* At 14 feet, Silvana and parts of Stanwood are threatened.

* At 16 feet, minor flooding begins in the Norman and Florence areas.

* At 17 feet, Marine Drive starts to flood near the river.

* At 18 feet, numerous roads and homes flood from Silvana to Stanwood.

* At 19 feet, major flooding occurs in all areas previously listed. Roads may be closed and people and livestock evacuated.

* At 20 feet, near-record flooding would occur in these areas. Dikes would be subject to failure.