EVERETT — It’s a hard rain falling in Western Washington.
Thursday and Friday’s downpours were expected to continue into Saturday morning, prompting flood warnings for local rivers and streams and causing standing water for drivers, according to the National Weather Service.
The Stillaguamish River near Arlington was at minor flood levels Friday afternoon. The Snohomish River was expected to reach moderate flood levels near Monroe Saturday afternoon. Flooding will then extend toward Snohomish by Saturday evening.
Friday afternoon, crews were dispatched to the eastbound side of the U.S. 2 trestle in anticipation of flood debris forming under the bridge, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The peak-use shoulder lane was expected to remain closed through at least Saturday morning.
Flooding in October required several days of work to clear a logjam, causing backups for commuters.
Earlier forecasts for the county called for 2 to 3 inches of rain between Thursday and Saturday. It’s now possible for the three-day total to exceed 4 inches, National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Guy said Friday.
When minor flooding occurs, water will pond on roads. County officials urge drivers to turn around and not attempt to drive through standing water.
In addition to unsafe driving conditions, the sustained rain will make local terrain more susceptible to mud and landslides, Guy said.
The weather service also warns of standing water on city streets.
In Everett, water over the roadway closed Sievers Duecy Road, according to the Everett Police Department.
Farther south in Edmonds, there was flooding on Highway 104, local roads and the parking facilities at Edmonds Station, Sound Transit announced.
In Lynnwood, all lanes on 44th Avenue between the 20900 block and 204th Street were closed until the rain subsided, the police department announced.
The heavy rains also caused high avalanche warnings for Stevens Pass, among other areas, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.
The downpours are expected to slow Saturday morning and afternoon, with showers scattered throughout the evening, Guy said. Flood waters are expected to recede Sunday.
The heaviest showers are still south of Snohomish County.
A mudslide with debris 3 feet deep and 50 feet wide covered BNSF Railway tracks. Train traffic south of Tacoma was on hold for at least 48 hours, a BNSF spokesperson told The Associated Press.
For information on ways to stay safe during a flood, visit the county’s website.
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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