Chehalis River flooding closes Thurston County roads

Thurston County has announced that the following Thurston County roads are closed as of 2:15 p.m. Tuesday due to flooding near the Chehalis River: Moon Road SW at 183rd Avenue SW; 201st Avenue SW at Independence Road SW; and Moon Road SW at State Route 12. Other roads in Thurston County may also be covered with water from localized flooding due to heavy rain that fell in the last two days, according to a news release. Drivers are urged to use caution and not drive on flooded roadways or closed roads. "It only takes 18 inches of water to float a small car," Thurston County Emergency Manager Kathy Estes said in the release. "So even if a roadway isn’t officially closed, if you can’t see the road under the water, don’t drive it. Find an alternate route." Reminding motorists that drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, Estes lists the following driver safety rules: Don’t drive on flooded roads. As little as 18 inches of water can float a small car. Don’t drive around road barriers. The road or bridge may be washed out. If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Don’t walk through flowing water. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Tell a friend or relative when you leave home and where you’re going. Road closure updates and other information about area flooding from recent storms is available on the Thurston County Emergency Management webpages at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/em/EI/EI.htm. A Chehalis River Flood Warning is in effect through late Wednesday night November 21, with the river forecast to crest a little over one foot above flood stage at the Grand Mound gage Tuesday night around 10 p.m. Flooding should subside by late Wednesday morning. People along rivers in the flood warning area should prepare for flooding and be ready to act quickly and evacuate if necessary. Additional road closures are expected.