With heavy precipitation already hitting the region over the past two days, prompting a flood watch, the National Weather Service office in Seattle has issued a flood warning as of 8:34 a.m. on Friday, March 13.
The warning pertained to the Newaukum River near Chehalis and the Skookumchuck River near Bucoda. The Chehalis River at Grand Mound could also reach flood stage, and China Creek in Centralia was running high on Friday.
“At 202.5 feet, flood waters will inundate many roads and residential and commercial areas along the Newaukum River and its forks,” the flood warning stated. “Flooding in some areas may be deep and hazardous, especially near rivers.”
Flood waters are expected to hit the minor flood stage on the Newaukum River cresting at 203.75 feet, while the Skookumchuck is predicted to be right at the beginning of the moderate flood stage level cresting at 212.98 feet.
The flood warning will remain active through Saturday morning, but flood waters were expected to crest sometime Friday afternoon. Motorists are advised to turn around instead of attempting to drive through flooded roadways, as most flood drowning deaths occur when drivers get swept away attempting to cross inundated areas.
Up-to-date flood gauge readings for the Newaukum River near Chehalis can be found at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/neww1, and for the Skookumchuck River near Bucoda at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/bcdw1.
Flood gauge information throughout the region can be seen on Lewis County’s website at https://rivers.lewiscountywa.gov/#/.
Heavy rains aren’t the only precipitation falling in Lewis County, either, as heavy snowfall in East Lewis County also forced Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials to close U.S. Highway 12 at White Pass.
The pass was closed as of 8:45 a.m. on Friday for “avalanche assessment,” according to the WSDOT Passes X account, but reopened by 11:45 a.m. with WSDOT officials warning commuters to prepare for heavy snow still.
“For everyone’s safety, travelers should plan ahead and be prepared for winter weather driving conditions through the pass,” WSDOT stated in a news release.
A winter storm warning remains in effect throughout most of East Lewis County.
During previous flooding events, Lewis County Transit proactively suspended some of its East Lewis County routes, though the organization has made no such announcement yet. Riders are encouraged to watch its website at https://lewiscountytransit.org/ and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LewisCountyTransit.
DARTT and LIFTT riders should check with their destination to make sure it is open before booking and taking their ride. Call Lewis County Transit dispatch at 360-330-5555 if reservation changes or cancellations are necessary.
Rainfall and snow are predicted to continue throughout Sunday in the region. For more information, visit the Seattle National Weather Service office’s website at https://www.weather.gov/sew/.
