King County opens Flood Warning Center to monitor rivers as heavy rainfall hits region

The King County Flood Warning Center opened at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, as persistent rainfall brought flows on the Tolt River up to a Phase II flood alert level.

As of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Tolt River was flowing at 3,600 cubic feet per second (CFS), slightly higher than the Phase II flood alert threshold of 3,500 CFS for that river. Typically, only minor flooding in low-lying areas along the Tolt River would be expected at this flow, with the potential for water over a few roads.

A Phase II flood alert level is the level of the County's four-phase warning system at which the Flood Warning Center activates to monitor conditions. The Flood Warning Center will remain open as long as flood conditions persist.

Flood Warning Center staff will monitor stream gages and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/flood.

Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County website at www.kingcounty.gov, and via RPIN, the area's regional website at http://www.rpin.org. A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information on flood conditions. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263.

Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932. Problems on County maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 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 http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/.

Related information

Flooding services and information

Snoqualmie-Skykomish Watershed

How to prepare for a flood

King County Water and Land Resources Division