UPDATE - Skagit River flooding forecast
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December 6, 2023
Ken Stern
NOT THIS TIME, BUT NOV. 13, 2021 -- The Skagit River did not rise above 30 feet at Mount Vernon Wednesday, Dec. 6. The story was different two years ago. The river was rose for two more days after this photo was taken. The Riverwalk flood wall, with aluminum panels in place, kept downtown businesses dry. This photo looks northwest from the Riverwalk, a block south of the Division Street bridge.
From Skagit County government: Flood Update: Skagit River has crested and is receding
At 1:43 p.m. the County sent this news update: "The Skagit River in Concrete and Mount Vernon have both crested and are now receding. The Skagit River in Concrete is currently below flood stage and continues to recede. In Mount Vernon, the Skagit River has remained below 30 feet. "
The Skagit County Emergency Operations Center has been deactivated.
The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Skagit County through Wednesday evening Dec. 6. A combination of snow melt and heavy rains from multiple atmospheric rivers was expected to push some rivers and coastal plains to flood stage by Tuesday evening, extending through Wednesday evening. Skagit County government agencies activated their Emergency Operations Center Tuesday morning.
Monday afternoon, the Skagit River was forecast to peak at 38.9 feet in Concrete around 4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 34.7 feet near Mount Vernon around 4 p.m. Dec. 6. During the 2021 flooding events, Concrete crested at 38.9 feet, 10.9 feet above flood stage. Mount Vernon crested at 36.9 feet, 8.9 feet above flood stage.
The county government asks the public to take the flood emergency seriously and follow safety recommendations from public agencies. In previous flood events there have been injuries to the public and law enforcement members during flood rescues that first responders do not wish to have repeated.
Do not drive over flooded roadways and practice "Don't drown, turn around." Follow road closure and cautionary signs and don't drive around barricades. Water can be deeper and faster moving than anticipated, presenting risks to drivers.
Monitor road closures: skagitcounty.net/reporting/roadclose/.
Rain forecast
Ken Stern
Nov. 2, 2021 FLOODING AT CONWAY BOAT LAUNCH -- Two years ago at the start of November rains and snow melt brought the first Skagit River flood that month.
The Snoqualmie River and the Skagit River are expected to reach major flood stage the Washington State University AgWeatherNet emailed Monday. It reported more than two feet of snow fell at all the major Cascade passes last weekend and several feet fell at higher elevations. An atmospheric river moving toward the Pacific Northwest will raise snow levels above 10,000 feet.
The National Westher Service predicts 1.6-2.7 inches of rain at the Burlington airport through Wednesday. AgWeatherNet notes isolated totals near 10 inches are possible by Thursday in the Cascades and Olympics.
WSU weather staff predicts a colder, second, weaker system will follow Thursday. Another strong system is predicted for Saturday, with some wintry travel concerns at the passes and east of the Cascades.
AWN Weekly Outlook: weather.wsu.edu/outlook.
For information and sandbags:: skagitcounty.net/Departments/EmergencyInformation/main.htm, 360 416-1850.
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