Waters were expected to peak at major flood levels today as flood warnings for the Skykomish, Snohomish and Stillaguamish rivers remained in effect.
Dan Bates / The Herald
Low-lying areas from Index to Snohomish, as well as Granite Falls, were expected to be particularly hard hit.
The Skykomish River near Gold Bar was expected to crest near 19 feet by about 4 a.m. today. The Stillaguamish River near Arlington was expected to crest at 17.5 feet around the same time. Waters in both areas were expected to recede by nightfall today.
The Snohomish River in Monroe also was expected to crest at 20 feet around 4 a.m. Meanwhile, in Snohomish, the river was expected to crest at around 30 feet by 8 p.m. and not recede until Monday morning.
Late Friday afternoon, the three rivers still were hovering just below flood stage. Flood stage for the Skykomish around Gold Bar and the Snohomish around Monroe is 15 feet. Flood stage for the Snohomish River at Snohomish is 25 feet, and 14 feet for the Stillaguamish River near Stanwood.
Some roads and low-lying pastures already were beginning to be partially covered with murky brown water late Friday. Riverside parks in Granite Falls and Sultan became prime viewing spots for people seeking a closer look.
It’s “just nature at work,” said Jeff Tilbury of Edmonds, who stopped at Sportsman’s Park in Sultan to watch the waters rise.
Normally at this time of year he is fishing at the park. “It’s not too good of fishing like this,” he said.
Other Western Washington rivers also included in the flood warning were the Bogachiel, Nooksack, Satsop, Skagit, Skokomish, Snoqualmie and Tolt.
Rivers aren’t the only source of concern, said Johnny Burg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Urban drivers could face hazards as well.
“Some small streams may also flood. There may be some flooded roadways from backed-up storm drains and stuff like that,” he said.
The forecast today calls for morning showers and then partly sunny skies, with high temperatures near 50 degrees. It should be partly cloudy and cooler by evening, with temperatures dipping into the mid-30s, and the lower 30s in the foothills.
“So it’s looking like Saturday night we might have a bit of a reprieve,” Burg said.
Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain.
Rain is likely on Monday, but “probably not in the copious amounts that we had in the last couple of days,” Burg added.
Stevens Pass Ski Resort still was planning to open on Sunday, despite the rain and temperatures in the 40s. A few inches of snow melted, but cooler temperatures and more snow were anticipated today.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@ heraldnet.com.
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