King County Flood Warning Center adds Tolt River to long list of rivers at minor flood level

February 5, 2020

Summary

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 2 flood alert for the Tolt River as it reaches a minor flood phase from a steady rainfall that has pushed several rivers up to minor flood levels.

Story

Heavy rainfall from a strong winter storm pushed the Tolt River to a minor flood phase at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, according to the King County Flood Warning Center, which opened at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 to closely track rising rivers across the county.

As of 8:30 p.m., the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 3,630 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase 2 flood alert threshold of 3,500 CFS. At these flows, minor flooding in low-lying areas along the Tolt River east of Carnation could be expected.

The Tolt River joins Issaquah Creek, the Cedar River, Green River, and the White River at a Phase 2 flood alert threshold. Rivers and streams across King County and much of western Washington were still running higher than normal following a widespread flooding earlier in February when this most recent rain event swept through the region. 

The King County Flood Warning Center will remain open as long as flood conditions persist. Flood Warning Center employees will monitor stream gauges and weather reports and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at kingcounty.gov/flood.

During river flooding events, King County serves as a clearinghouse for information on flood conditions, operating a recorded message center with continuous updates of river gauge readings and flood phases and other related information. Reach the Flood Warning Center at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Interpreter assistance in multiple languages is available.

King County offers everyone free access to KC Flood Alerts, an automated system that allows subscribers to receive customized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s seven major river systems.

Immediate notifications about pending high water are sent to email, smart phone text or voicemail, providing subscribers with the maximum amount of warning about potential high water.

Find the KC Flood Alerts link at kingcounty.gov/flood. This website is a valuable preparedness resource, with all of the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links.

Questions or assistance with flooding on smaller streams or urban drainage problems can be called in to 206-477-4811 during business hours, or 206-477-8100 after hours or on weekends.

Problems on County maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-477-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.

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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County. The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.