Weather
Record Rainfall Brings Flooding, Mudslides To Western Washington
Friday firmly landed as one of the wettest days ever recorded in the Seattle area. The rain continues Saturday.
SEATTLE, WA — An unrelenting downpour brought flooding to rivers, streets and urban areas Friday, as Puget Sound shattered some all-time precipitation records. According to the National Weather Service, storm totals in Snohomish County and points south were expected to hit between 5 and 10 inches of rain by the time the weather begins to taper off Saturday night. In Seattle, Friday landed among the top five wettest days ever documented, since records began in 1945.
The top 10 wettest days in Seattle. Today now ranks 5th. pic.twitter.com/ykat5wjT6a
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) December 21, 2019
Additional rain is in the forecast. Here is a look at the estimated amounts through 5pm tomorrow. #wawx pic.twitter.com/ONkRJAy1lB
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 21, 2019
Social media posts Friday showed standing water and closed streets in several cities, including in Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Kent, Renton, Tacoma and Lynnwood. An urban flooding advisory was in place Friday for the Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia metro areas, along with an increased potential for landslides. NWS Seattle said landslide dangers would persist until Saturday night.
The Associated Press reports a slide on the train tracks south of Tacoma suspended all freight and passenger traffic Friday. Freight trains were expected to resume in the afternoon, but passenger service will remain suspended until Sunday morning.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are multiple mudslides blocking Woodmont beach Drive in Des Moines. This will take a while to clean up. no ETA for reopening pic.twitter.com/RDtKfA0rNa
— South King Fire (@Southkingfire) December 20, 2019
Another mud slide here on Woodmont beach Drive in Des Moines covered the road clean up should be starting shortly #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/t7SXAJhxxD
— bill b (@BillBQ13Fox) December 20, 2019
This is the scene on SR 203 near the Stillwater Store, MP 8. A landslide brought trees down which pulled the power lines down. A two car non-injury collision occurred due to the slide. A detour is in place. No ETA for clearing. pic.twitter.com/L8GJYX1Yst
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) December 20, 2019
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning for the Snoqualmie River near the falls Friday morning, and minor flooding was expected for several other rivers Friday afternoon and potentially continuing into Saturday. Most lowland areas are expected to see at least another couple inches of rainfall by the end of Saturday.
A flood watch remains in effect for most of Western Washington until Sunday night. The urban and small stream flood advisory was set to expire early Saturday.
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Track the latest river conditions on the National Weather Service website.
Flood Warning for the Skykomish River near Gold Bar until late Saturday night. At 4:30 PM Friday the stage was 14.4 feet and slowly rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 21, 2019
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Flood Warning for the Chehalis river at Grand Mound until late Sunday night. At 5:00 PM Friday the stage was 139.8 feet. Flood stage is 141.0 feet. Minor to moderate flooding is forecast.#wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 21, 2019
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Flood Warning for the South Fork Stillaguamish river near Granite Falls until Saturday morning. At 6:15 PM Friday the stage was 13.3 feet and slowly rising. Flood stage is 14 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 21, 2019
In the Cascades, periods of moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast above 3,5000 feet, which could present difficult travel conditions in some areas through Saturday. Stevens Pass was forecast for a rain/snow mix Friday night, turning to moderate snowfall by Saturday. Rain is in the forecat for Snoqualmie Pass.
FRIDAY WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
Construction site is gushing water in Burien with all this rainfall #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/jt3pXNxZub
— Hana Kim (@hanamkim) December 21, 2019
445 PM Radar Update | Rain across Western Washington this evening! Rain through tonight. Precipitation will taper off tomorrow afternoon. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/lo9AiSn1aE
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 21, 2019
Despite road closed signs, and cars who visibly have not made it through flooded waters, drivers continue to risk their safety and their cars in Kent. pic.twitter.com/iurkTKttUI
— AJ Janavel (@ajjanavelnews) December 21, 2019
Flood update: Middle Fork Road has a slide and downed tree across the road. The closure will be on https://t.co/HMbiBV5JfS soon. #WAWX pic.twitter.com/169NrhDIM2
— KC Road Services (@kcroads) December 20, 2019
See standing water on the road? Stay safe and don't drive on it! Even if there is no road closed sign. We're verifying flooded roads and adding signs as quickly as possible. https://t.co/HMbiBV5JfS pic.twitter.com/CcPsxYg6qa
— KC Road Services (@kcroads) December 20, 2019
Wow! Snoqualmie Falls is pumping!#Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/FoAO6NNQaT
— Matt Lorch (@MattLorchQ13Fox) December 20, 2019
I would recommend not using the NB I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 116th Street in #Kirkland. This is a look at conditions on 116th under I-405. A line is beginning to form at the northbound off-ramp. pic.twitter.com/9g5wBGkw49
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 20, 2019
Kirkland Traffic Update: both directions of NE 116th ST passing under I-405 are now closed due to water over the roadway. Please use alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/i5TcmkjRW7
— Kirkland Police (@KirklandWAPD) December 20, 2019
Here is a picture of the tree that fell. Traffic is getting by on right shoulder. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/GGAFmiY9Ry
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) December 20, 2019
Wow, now there’s another driver who just got stuck in downtown Kent trying to drive over flooded roads. Again seen from @kiro7chopper. And you can see @GrahamKIRO7 on scene there too. What a crazy day of flooding!! Please stay safe all!! @KIRO7Seattle #wawx #pugetsound pic.twitter.com/uO6QgqZeha
— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) December 20, 2019
Head's up #Everett travelers: Maintenance crews have heavy equipment on the eastbound US 2 trestle to clear debris from the slough below. The right peak shoulder lane (open 2-7 p.m.) is blocked for this operation. Expect delays! More info https://t.co/Qgh2cyXU5S pic.twitter.com/3SiA7CWyGZ
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 20, 2019
We have multiple cars stranded on 21st SE in Bellevue. Some people kept thinking they'd be able to get through the water... they couldn't. #KOMONews #wawx pic.twitter.com/cbBKy24TPh
— Nick Popham (@KOMOPopham) December 20, 2019
LANDSLIDE DANGER Numerous landslides have already been reported and the danger continues to increase across the area. Landslides & debris flows can move rapidly, striking with little to no warning at avalanche speeds (faster than a person can run).#wawx pic.twitter.com/CxxdVino55
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 20, 2019
.@cityofkent continues to get hit hard with flooding. Check out this driver that drove truck into several feet of water. pic.twitter.com/oks9XoXlG2
— KIRO 7 Jussero (@JJusseroKIRO7) December 20, 2019
#Montlake update: We still have the right lane closed on westbound SR 520 but that open lane looks much less like a swimming pool. pic.twitter.com/L5d7xlOzkf
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 20, 2019
Artondale Dr. NW from Ray Nash Dr. NW to 56th St NW is closed due to water over the roadway and shoulder erosion. There is no estimated time of reopening. pic.twitter.com/10FgFsXPtP
— Pierce County, Wash. (@PierceCo) December 20, 2019
Updated to include picture of SW 43rd st to Oakesdale Ave SW./sh pic.twitter.com/F7gM0VBSgi
— Renton Police Dept. (@RentonpdWA) December 20, 2019
Issaquah is now in a flood watch, with Issaquah Creek’s level at Phase 1. While there is no immediate threat, be prepared with a household flood strategy. Do not walk, wade or drive in flooded areas. https://t.co/ydG3pfHXrk pic.twitter.com/jCy2tHEmRQ
— City of Issaquah (@cityofissaquah) December 20, 2019
#RIGHTNOW: stranded duck hunters rescued off Highway 532 by the Snohomish/Island County line. #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/CGujEuAbFs
— Suzanne Phan (@SuzannePhan) December 20, 2019
There are unusually high surface water flows on Waller Rd just south of intersection w/Pioneer Way. Crews will inspect area and use drones to try to determine source. Once we have more info, we'll make an action plan and provide an update on when the road may reopen. 2/2
— Pierce County, Wash. (@PierceCo) December 20, 2019
Flood water swallows farm land south of #Carnation. The birds don’t seem to mind though. #Q13FOX #AllLocal #wawx pic.twitter.com/xOMNnFVXJf
— Steve Kiggins (@Q13FOXKiggins) December 20, 2019
Road closure - all lanes, both directions on 44th Ave W between 20900 block and 204th. St SW due to water over the roadway. Not expected to reopen until rains dissipate . pic.twitter.com/63Mdsv8TV8
— Lynnwood Police (@LynnwoodPD) December 20, 2019
Trail alert! The Issaquah-Preston trail is closed between @cityofissaquah and High Point due to flooding and mudslides from the heavy rain. Will provide updates as we have them. Stay safe and dry out there! pic.twitter.com/zzaOuiu2GL
— King County Parks (@iheartkcparks) December 20, 2019
With today’s heavy rainfall, the City has received multiple reports of flooding across Tacoma. For information and resources on this issue, please visit https://t.co/kmat5a5WyL. pic.twitter.com/DHderKObhR
— Tacoma Police Department (@TacomaPD) December 20, 2019
We have a lot of water on NB I-405 north of SR 527. Alternate routes are advised as this area becomes more flooded. pic.twitter.com/ycuWQgzmXF
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 20, 2019
As a measure of utmost safety, the roadway at Holmes Point Dr will remain closed until the rains subside later this weekend. More info at: https://t.co/jtYnqlyriw https://t.co/vYbsFk8g35 pic.twitter.com/1klDQJwQxC
— Kirkland, Washington (@kirklandgov) December 20, 2019
Live over downtown Seattle, where it’s raining biblically! pic.twitter.com/BMCZ8jDLBM
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) December 20, 2019
11 AM Radar Update It's raining heavily and will continue to do so through early afternoon. Areas of urban and small stream flooding will continue to produce hazards on area roadways. Turn around, don't drown when you encounter flooded or closed roadways! #wawx #seattle pic.twitter.com/tbKioIMIYD
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 20, 2019
NE 165th is closed due to flooding near Basset Pond. Turn around don’t drown. pic.twitter.com/ghhFPq1D81
— Woodinville Fire (@WoodinvilleFire) December 20, 2019
James street is closed at Central. Please don’t attempt to ford the River, this isn’t the Oregon Trail. pic.twitter.com/oGicyAhQFl
— Kent Police (@kentpd) December 20, 2019
This scene on SE 7th Place near Lake Hills Connector shows why you should absolutely NOT attempt to drive through standing water. More info: https://t.co/Fonj3xVsCc List of road closures: https://t.co/vexyxK4mtF @BvuePD @BvueFD pic.twitter.com/pwCt17Wzyp
— Bellevue Transpo (@BvueTrans) December 20, 2019
Whoa! I-5 Flooding in Southcenter Tukwila! This is NB I-5 at the ramp to NB 405. #k5traffic pic.twitter.com/NvenTmDVGO
— Cam Johnson (@CamJohnsonK5) December 20, 2019
I honestly didn’t think the little white car was going to make it! Flooding in Kent on 76th Ave S. There are road closed signs out here, but dozens of drivers are ignoring them. The city is encouraging people to follow the signs & use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/wWUXHVWq0b
— Franque Thompson (@FranqueThompson) December 20, 2019
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