King County Flood Warning Center issues Phase 3 flood alerts for Snoqualmie, Tolt rivers as heavy rain pushes rivers higher

October 28, 2021

Summary

Heavy rainfall across eastern King County has pushed the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers up to a Phase 3 flood alert with moderate flooding possible and potential impacts to roadways, according to the King County Flood Warning Center, which opened at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, to monitor rising river levels during a strong fall storm.

Story

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 3 flood alert for the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers, with moderate flooding possible, including some impacts to roadways in low-lying areas, as heavy rainfall continues to push rivers higher across King County. 

As of 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, the sum of the Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 21,250 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase 3 flood alert threshold of 20,000 CFS. At these flows, flooding of varied depths could begin to occur across the Snoqualmie Valley, including potential impacts to some roadways that cross the valley. 

Meanwhile, the Tolt River was flowing at 5,290 CFS at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, just above the Phase 3 flood alert threshold of 5,000 CFS for the Tolt. At these flows, minor flooding could be expected in low-lying areas upstream of Carnation, including areas along Tolt River Road Northeast.

The King County Flood Warning Center opened at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday to closely monitor flood conditions. Flood Warning Center employees continue operating remotely as part of COVID-19 safety precautions and will monitor stream gauges and weather reports to 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.