Cedar River reaches Phase 2 flood alert level as minor to moderate flooding affecting many King County rivers, streams

February 28, 2022

Summary

King County’s Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase 2 flood alert for the Cedar River, with minor flooding possible along the river. Since opening at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, to monitor rising river levels from steady heavy rainfall, the Flood Warning Center has issued flood alerts and monitored flood conditions on the Tolt, Snoqualmie, White and now Cedar rivers, plus Issaquah Creek.

Story

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued Phase 2 flood alert for the Cedar River as heavy rainfall continues to impact river flows across the county. The Cedar River joins Issaquah Creek, the White River, Snoqualmie River and Tolt River at a Phase 2 or higher flood alert phase. 

As of 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, the Cedar River at Landsburg was flowing at 2,880 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase 2 flood alert threshold of 2,800 CFS for the Cedar River. At these flows, some minor flooding could occur along Jones Road near 156th Place Southeast. 

Elsewhere, the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers remain at Phase 3 flood alert levels, with moderate widespread flooding possible, including numerous road closures. The White River and Issaquah Creek remain at Phase 2 flood alert levels, meaning some minor flooding could occur in localized areas. Find real-time river level information at kingcounty.gov/flood.

King County Flood Warning Center employees are monitoring stream gauges and weather reports to provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Flood patrol crews are monitoring conditions from the field and reporting their findings back to the Flood Warning Center. 

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.

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

RELEVANT LINKS
• Sign up for flood warnings and alerts
• King County Flood Control District

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Doug Williams, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4543

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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.