Living in Western Washington one gets used to the rain and if you live in low-lying areas you may be prone to flooding. Going from memory it seems the rivers tend reach flood stage at least twice a year and every once in a while records are broken. I believe this week with the ‘pineapple express’ we did indeed hit some record breaking flood levels!

SEATTLE (AP) – Rainfall ended in most areas and floodwaters were subsiding in Western Washington after killing two and forcing hundreds of people to flee from homes and business, some in rescues by helicopter and hovercraft.

Major highways were open, including Interstate 5, which was reopened to traffic early Wednesday after a closure of about nine hours because of high water at Chehalis, about 90 miles south of Seattle. Some lesser highways and numerous local roads remained closed because of high water, mud and rockslides or flood damage.

Most rivers in the region had crested and were subsiding by Wednesday morning, but some still were expected to stay well over flood stage through the day and major flooding is expected to continue along the Snoqualmie, Skagit, Cowlitz and Snohomish Rivers.

The Snoqualmie River crested early Wednesday but was still 6 feet over flood stage at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. It’s expected to slowly fall through the day, but not drop below flood stage until Wednesday night.

The Snohomish River near Monroe was a solid 7 feet over flood stage and was expected to remain over flood stage until late Thursday. At the city of Snohomish, the river was 8 1/2 feet over flood stage and was expected to remain steady there through midday Wednesday, then begin its slow drop. But it’s not expected to drop below flood stage until Friday morning, meaning major flooding will continue in the meantime.

The Skagit River near Concrete was on its way down Thursday morning, but wasn’t expected to be under flood stage until Thursday afternoon. Down river in Mount Vernon, the river was at 33 feet — 5 feet over flood stage — and slowly dropping, expecting to drop below flood stage Wednesday night. In the meantime, major flooding continues from Sedro-Woolley down through Mount Vernon.

The Cowlitz River, which has now claimed two lives in this storm, was expected to stay over flood stage until Thursday afternoon.

That second death occurred Tuesday when a pickup truck driver ignored road closure signs on U.S. Highway 12 and was swept into the Cowlitz River east of Randle. His body was recovered by Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies Wednesday morning. A 20-year-old elk hunter died Monday when his truck was swept into the Cowlitz, also in eastern Lewis County.

Flooding changed the course of the Cowlitz near Packwood, west of Randle. At least one house toppled into the river Tuesday but no one was injured.

There has been no estimate of damage.

Cascade Mountains near Stevens Pass by Andy Boos

Duvall, Washington by S. Sanden

North Bend, Washington next to Snoqualmie River by Christina Purser

Wallace River by Michele Olson

Randle Fire Dept by Sue Clayclamp

Packwood, Washington – I am at a loss for words other than to say the owners of this house have my deepest sympathy.

Rebecca

Country Meadow

www.countrymeadowsoaps.com