The worst is likely yet to come as forecasts predict flood levels will return to recent highs or even higher in the coming days.
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners declared a countywide state of emergency Tuesday morning during the board's regular business meeting.
The emergency resolution gives the county and its departments special rights to spend money and take actions without the normal procedures in pursuit of protecting and rescuing county citizens during flooding.
According to the resolution, the emergency is expected to last for 21 days.
“Designated departments are authorized to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such emergency, protecting the health and safety of persons and property, and providing emergency assistance to the victims of such emergency,” states the resolution.
The Lewis County Department of Emergency Management and county staff stated during the meeting that flooding was likely to continue or even get worse through at least through Wednesday night.
An update from the department posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon stated the same and warned residents of frequently flooding areas to evacuate now before conditions worsen.
“Rivers rose overnight, dropped slightly early this morning, and are expected to rise again later today through Wednesday night,” Lewis County Manager Ryan Barrett said. “Current modeling indicates the second surge may reach equal or higher levels than yesterday's peak, particularly along the Cowlitz and Newaukum rivers.”
The later announcement from Lewis County Emergency Management added that water levels are expected to rise in most, if not all, of the major local rivers, including the Cowlitz, Newaukum, Chehalis and Skookumchuck.
The announcement specifies that residents of the Cascade foothills in flood-prone areas “including but not limited to the Cascade Peaks area in Randle and the Hamilton Road area in Chehalis” should take precautions.
The Cowlitz River remains the county’s largest concern for flooding. The Cora Bridge along U.S. Highway 12 is expected to close if water levels on the river continue to rise.
Director of Lewis County Emergency Management Erika Katt entered the meeting late and left quickly after her statements on the flood. She urged county staff and residents not to get complacent or expect the flooding to go away.
She added that it's important that residents evacuate when told to and that people traveling should not attempt to drive through flood waters, echoing a common phrase in the area: “turn around, don’t drown.”
“The biggest messaging we want to send out to folks is, if you see water or the roadway, do not go in and try to drive through it,” Katt said. “If you are being told to evacuate, or if there's a need to leave, please listen.”
Catch up on all the local flood news at The Chronicle’s Flood Central.
