ARLINGTON — Expected record flooding along the Stillaguamish River had people scrambling today in north Snohomish County.

In Arlington, city officials were passing out sand, sand bags and shovels at the City Hall parking lot on Olympic Avenue.

The materials were being offered on a self serve basis for anyone in need of sandbags to protect their property or business, Arlington emergency management coordinator Chris Badger said.

Hwighway 530 was still open at the Lincoln Bridge, but traffic was down to one alternating lane. The Burn Road, undercut by by a creek, was closed by the city. The city also closed 204th Street NE, and reported that flooding along Highway 9 was causing traffic delays.

The projected crest for the Stillaguamish at Arlington is 22.52 feet around 4 a.m. Thursday. The record is 21.5 feet. People are urged to take precautions and not drive through flood waters or get too close to the river’s edge, Badger said.

Major flooding was being reported along the Stillaguamish just before 1 p.m.today.

The river was just over 19 feet in Arlington, according to the National Weather Service. That’s five feet above flood stage.

The American Red Cross Wednesday afternoon opened a shelter at Arlington Free Methodist Church, 730 E. Highland Dr.

About 30 Stanwood High School students spent the day filling sandbags at Twin City Foods in the downtown Stanwood. They were at it starting at 10 a.m..

The fire department contacted teacher Ryan Ovenell who is the school’s Future Farmers of America advisor. The students worked with the fire department to prepare and stack pallet loads of sandbags for residents who need them.

Jack Medlicot, 17, lives on a farm off Norman Road near Silvana, which experiences frequent flooding.

“I’m probably not going to be able to get home tonight but I like working outside and I’m happy to fill sandbags,” he said.

Stanwood Fire Chief Darin Reid said officials don’t expect the Stillaguamish to crest near his community before 5:00 a.m. Thursday.

They hope that sand bags will control flooding, but acknowledge concern about businesses located downtown, he said.

Flooding has blocked, most, if not all, the roads to Darrington, isolating the small community in the foothills of the Cascades, Mayor Joyce Jones said.

Highway 530, the main route to Darrington, is blocked. So far, a pump placed outside city hall is keeping water out of the building, Jones said.

“We’re kind of an island,” she said. “We’re an independent little neighborhood up here and we’re used to taking care of our own; so we’re moving water and moving snow.”

Mounds of snow still block many Darrington roads. Drifts of up to 15 feet are scattered in town, with two feet blanketing most places. As the snow melts, water is flooding streets.

So far, people seem to be staying away from the flooding and there have been no emergencies yet, Jones said. She’s not sure if an ambulance would be able to make it through the floodwater the nearest hospital in Arlington, but the town clinic is staffed and has lots of supplies, she said.