King County Flood Warning Center issues Phase 2 flood alert for Tolt River, with minor flooding possible

November 14, 2021

Summary

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 2 flood alert for the Tolt River, with minor flooding possible in areas along the river upstream of Carnation.

Story

King County’s Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 2 flood alert for the Tolt River, with minor flooding possible, as impacts from a strong fall rainstorm continue to be felt across the region.

As of 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, the Tolt River near Carnation was flowing at 3,770 cubic feet per second (CFS), surpassing the Phase 2 flood alert level of 3,500 CFS for the Tolt River. At these flows, some minor flooding is possible in low-lying areas along the Tolt River upstream of Carnation. 

The Flood Warning Center opened at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, to coordinate King County’s response to rising river levels – the result of a second atmospheric river to strike the region over the past 48 hours.

The Snoqualmie River remains at a Phase 3 flood alert level, with flows in the upper basin steadily receding from their recent high levels, but still rising in the lower basin as the flood crest slowly moves downstream. The White River remains at a Phase 2 alert level, as stored floodwaters are slowly released from Mud Mountain Dam east of Enumclaw. 

Flood Warning Center employees are monitoring stream gauges and weather reports to provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Find 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.