The Snoqualmie River rose rapidly overnight and reached stage 4 flood levels early Monday morning, January 5, 2015.
In a classic, mountain-fed river flooding scenario, heavy snow in the mountains yesterday turned to heavy rain overnight as a tropical moisture plume (“Pineapple Express”) originating near the equator aimed itself right at Washington, pressuring the Snoqualmie River.
The heavy rain, especially in the mountains, is expected to last through Monday morning. Both the Snoqualmie River and Tolt River are also expected to crest Monday afternoon, according to local weather forecasters.
The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch issued for the Snoqualmie River through Tuesday morning, January 6th. Rain should significantly decrease Monday morning, but another two inches are possible in the Cascades in addition to the 1.5 to 4.5 inches that fell overnight.
The last time the Snoqualmie River saw major, level 4 flooding was in January 2009 during another Pineapple Express weather event. This event, though, is not predicted to be near those flood levels.
The City of Snoqualmie says its Department of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the situation and says there is no major flooding in Snoqualmie at this time, with no major flooding expected. There is, though, minor flooding in the Mill Pond area at this time.
The National Weather Service also warned the heavy rainfall will increase the risk of landslides for the next few days.
Some Valley Road Closures
- Near Fall City, SE 24th Street between 309th Ave SE and West Snoqualmie River Road
- NE Tolt Hill Rd between West Snoqualmie River Rd NE and SR 203
- Dike Rd at Preston-Fall City Rd SE
- SE David Powell Rd at SE Preston Fall City Rd
- SE 428th ST between House 8306 and SE Reinig Rd
- SE 92nd St. between 428th Ave SE & 436th Ave SE
- SE Fish Hatchery Rd between SE 49th ST & 372nd Ave SE
Snoqualmie Road Closures as of 11AM:
- SE Park St from Centennial Fields toward North Bend
- Portion of SE Northern Street
- Mill Pond Road at Meadowbrook Bridge
- Meadowbrook Bridge Closed
To monitor Snoqualmie River flooding conditions visit King County Flood Warning system.
