Snoqualmie River Recedes; Roads Still Closed, Flood Update from Cities

UPDATE |  December 9th, 4:45PM

The City of Snoqualmie says the Snoqualmie River, which reached and hovered at a phase 4 flood level for hours earlier today, has receded to a phase 2 level, with the current river flow near the falls at approximately 35,300 cfs.  Some roads still remain closed, though.

Road Closure Updates

  • 396th Drive SE is closed. King County road crews are working to reopen it as soon as possible. Residents in the Tokul neighborhood can temporarily use the gate behind the Public Works facility.
  • 80th Ave SE from Kimball Creek to Pine Ave SE
  • SE Cedar Street from Pine Ave SE to 80th Ave SE
  • SE Northern St at Pickering Court
  • Boalch Ave SE from Centennial Fields past Meadowbrook Farm
  • SE Mill Pond Rd from State Route 202 to the Meadowbrook Bridge
  • SE Reinig Rd from 396th Drive SE to the Meadowbrook Bridge
  • Now open – Park Ave SE from SE Newton St to SE River St

City officials ask residents to please not drive past barricades, especially now, as Public Works crews are monitoring roads and will be removing barricades as roads become passable.

Sandy Cove Park in downtown Snoqualmie around 12PM, 12/9/15
Sandy Cove Park in downtown Snoqualmie around 12PM, 12/9/15

UPDATE | December 9th, 11AM

The power is out in a lot of North Bend – no word on restoration at this time. According to PSE outage map, about 5,000 North Bend area customers are currently without power and have been for about 2 hours.  It was reported that numerous trees came down in the River Bend neighborhood.

Flood waters were affecting areas of North Bend, including strip mall parking lots. An outbuilding at the Mt. Si Senior Center had a couple of feet of water in it.

Mt. Si Senior Center along Bendigo Blvd in North Bend, 12/9/15
Mt. Si Senior Center along Bendigo Blvd in North Bend, 12/9/15

 

SR 202 near Fall City, 12/9/15. Photo by: Sofie Wright Wohllaib‎
SR 202 near Fall City, 12/9/15. Photo by: Sofie Wright Wohllaib‎

UPDATE |  December 9th, 9:45AM

The City of Snoqualmie says there are NO neighborhood evacuation alerts at this time. As of 9:15AM the Snoqualmie River near the Falls was running at 49,000 cfs.  It has been near this level since early Wednesday morning.

Road Closures

  • Park Ave SE from SE Newton St to SE River St
  • 80th Ave SE from Kimball Creek to Pine Ave SE
  • SE Cedar Street from Pine Ave SE to 80th Ave SE
  • SE Northern St at Pickering Court
  • Boalch Ave SE from Centennial Fields past Meadowbrook Farm
  • SE Mill Pond Rd from State Route 202 to the Meadowbrook Bridge
  • SE Reinig Rd from 396th Drive SE to the Meadowbrook Bridge
  • There is a partial closure of 396th Drive SE due to a landslide. Crews are checking this area to confirm there is one-lane open.

Do not drive past barricades for your safety and the safety of Public Works crews. River conditions and road closures are being actively monitored by the Snoqualmie Department of Emergency Management and the Public Works Division.


UPDATE |  December 9th, 9AM

The City of North Bend reports that a short segment of Stilson Avenue SE (432nd Avenue) is closed near Opstad Elementary School due to downed power lines perpendicular to the roadway.

The detour route is Maloney Grove Road. PSE has been called to repair.

City officials ask the public to be extremely cautious and remain a significant distance away from any downed power lines, which could still be live – and to call 911 if you observe any other downed power lines in your area.

Public parking lot along W North Bend Way in downtown North Bend, 12/19/15. Photo: Geoff Doy
Public parking lot along W North Bend Way in downtown North Bend, 12/19/15. Photo: Geoff Doy

ORIGINAL STORY

At 3:30AM the City of North Bend was actively monitoring flood conditions and said the Snoqualmie River continued to run at a phase 4 flood level.  Several roads were closed.

Overnight and into the early morning of December 9, 2015, the Snoqualmie River (sum of forks) remained at about 40,000 cfs. Near Snoqualmie Falls, the river was hovering around 45,000 cfs, but reached 47,000 cfs by 6:30AM.

The Snoqualmie Valley School District also announced all schools were closed due weather and road conditions on Wednesday, December 9th.

Oh, and as of 6:30AM, it appeared possible thunderstorms were marching east across the Puget Sound area and toward the Snoqualmie Valley.

Doppler radar, 12/9/15 at 6:30AM.
Doppler radar, 12/9/15 at 6:30AM.

City of North Bend Flood Update

According to the City of North Bend, the Snoqualmie River reached Flood Phase 4 by Tuesday mid-afternoon and the Flood Phase 4 has essentially continued to early Wednesday.

Overnight, the Middle and South Fork Snoqualmie River flows plateaued and did not decrease, due to very heavy rainfall in the middle of the night. During the 3AM hour, river flows in all three forks had increased.

North Bend Public Works Department continues to monitor river flows, road conditions, and has maintenance crews currently operating throughout the city.

Road closures as of Tuesday night include:

  • SW Mt. Si Blvd between Bendigo Blvd South and South Fork Avenue SW;
  • West North Bend Way Park-N-Ride across NBW from the Pour House;
  • NW 8th Street;
  • Ballarat Avenue NE between NE 8th Street and NE 12th Street;
  • Boalch Avenue NW north of NW 14th Street; and
  • 415th Way SE adjacent to I-90 Exit 31.

Significant water on roads currently include:

  • SW Ribary Way;
  • SW 10th Street in Forester Woods; and
  • Forester Blvd. SW.

North Bend Residents are asked to contact Public Works at (425) 736-7697 if observe neighborhood or road flooding.  They also ask our residents to watch for clogged catch basins or culverts and to contact the city accordingly.  If residents are able to remove leaves from a catch basin or culvert in front of their property safely, then that would be helpful and appreciated. 

Public Works continues to monitor roadways for any needed road closures.  If needed, sand and sand bags are available free of charge at the Public Works Shop located at 1155 E North Bend Way.

City of Snoqualmie Flood Update

Late Tuesday night The Snoqualmie Department of Emergency Management has issued a level 1 evacuation alert for the following neighborhoods.

  • Mountain Ave SE neighborhood near Meadowbrook Bridge
  • Pickering Court Apartments on SE Northern Street

Level 1 indicates that a neighborhood has more potential for flooding than others. Level 2 indicates that residents should be prepared to evacuate. Level 3 indicates immediate evacuation is needed.

An emergency alert was  sent from the Snoqualmie Emergency Alert system to all phone numbers, text numbers, and emails in the database. (www.bit.ly/SnoquamieEAS)

Road Closure Update

  • Boalch Ave SE from Mt. Si Golf Course past Meadowbrook Farm (city limits)
  • SE Northern St at Pickering Court
  • SE Mill Pond Rd from State Route 202 to the Meadowbrook Bridge
  • SE Reinig Rd from 396th Drive to the Meadowbrook Bridge

Snoqualmie stated that updated road closures and flood information will be posted on their  Facebook page and the city website.

Several roads were also closed in the Fall City and Carnation areas. They are detailed on the King County Road Closures page HERE.

Fall City Road Closures:

  • 308th Ave SE between State Route 202 and SE 31st St
  • SE Fish Hatchery Rd between SE 49th St and 372nd Ave SE
  • SE David Powell Rd between Preston Fall City Rd SE to Road End
  • 324th Ave SE between House Address 2803 and West Snoqualmie River Rd
  • SE 44th Pl/Dike Rd between Preston Fall City Rd SE to the end
  • Neal Rd at SE State Route 203
  • SE 24th St between 309th Ave SE and West Snoqualmie River Rd SE
  • SR 203 between Fall City and Carnation
  • 202 at Fish Hatchery Rd

Snoqualmie River Flooding Conditions can be monitored HERE.

Water over SR 202 at Fish Hatchery Road, 12/9/15. Photo: Sean Sundwall
Water over SR 202 at Fish Hatchery Road, 12/9/15. Photo: Sean Sundwall

 

Signs underwater near the Snoqualmie Valley Trail Bridge in Snoqualmie, 12/9/15. Photo: Sean Sundwall
Signs underwater near the Snoqualmie Valley Trail Bridge in Snoqualmie, 12/9/15. Photo: Sean Sundwall

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Comments

  • Fantastic detailed coverage of this significant event. Once again Living Snoqualmie was the go-to source for what was happening during our Flood event. Thanks!

  • […] We had a flood yesterday in our valley. My micro farm is puddley, but we’re basically dry.  Some of my neighbors, not so much. […]

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