A flood watch has been issued for the Chehalis and Cowlitz river systems, with local rivers facing “at least a moderate threat of flooding,” according to a Thursday afternoon bulletin from the National Weather Service.
Heavy rain is likely Saturday night into Monday in amounts likely to cause flooding on at least some rivers, the 4:11 p.m. bulletin reads.
The flood watch for most of Western Washington including the Chehalis, Skookumchuck and Cowlitz rivers, although forecasters say the duration and exact location of the heaviest rain is uncertain.
A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring.
River levels are predicted to rise quickly after 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Newaukum River reaching flood stage — 10.5 feet — by 1 a.m. Sunday. The Chehalis River near Doty is expected to reach a flood stage of 13 feet around roughly 4 a.m. Sunday.
According to the NWS’ Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, the Newaukum River just south of Chehalis is predicted to reach moderate flood stage of 12.5 feet by 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon. The service says floodwaters will inundate many roads, as well as “many residential and commercial areas along the Newaukum River and its forks.” State Route 508 and Jackson Highway are expected to see flooding, and water may cover portions of the following roads: Tune, Rush, Sommerville, Griel, Hamilton, Tauscher, Guerrier, Kirkland, Macomber, Rice, Senn, Lucas Creek, Middle Fork, North Fork, Bishop, Shorey, Labree, Gish and Yates.
Should the river level reach 12.7 feet, it would roughly correspond to a Phase 3 flood in the Lewis County flood system, according to the NWS. A crest of 13.54 feet was recorded Feb. 8, 1996.
The service also predicts the Chehalis River to reach 13.5 feet near Doty by 1 p.m. Sunday as well. The upper Chehalis River and the South Fork of the Chehalis River are expected to inundate low-lying roads and structures, the NWS said. Impacted roads include Curtis Hill, Lake Creek, Moon Hill and Wildwood in the Boistfort Valley, as well as L Abri Road and Front Street below Doty.
The Lewis County flood system calls a stage of 13 feet a Phase 2 flood situation. The highest recent crest the river has seen was 31.37 feet on Dec. 3, 2007.
