Flooding spreads across South Sound, stranding motorists and residents
Rivers across the South Sound reached their flood threshold following nonstop rain and melting snow, prompting the American Red Cross to open a shelter for those needing a dry refuge.
The shelter opened at 5 p.m. Thursday at Centralia Middle School on Johnson Road. Individuals affected by flooding in Thurston, Grays Harbor and Lewis counties were encouraged to go there for immediate support, according to a release from the American Red Cross. Food, cots and other emergency supplies are available at the shelter.
Those evacuating from their homes were encouraged to bring along any emergency medication or prescriptions, extra clothing, pillows and blankets, hygiene items and important documents. Face masks were required in the shelter regardless of vaccination status.
Ben Miller-Todd with Thurston County Emergency Management said the shelter may have to be moved due to ongoing flooding and worsening conditions around I-5 in Centralia. He said Emergency Management is still working to find a new location.
Residents can pick up sandbags to battle flooding around their homes. There are several self-service locations and a list as well as more information on using sandbags at the Thurston County Emergency Management website.
There are several flooding events happening across the region. Emergency Management issued a Level 2 Evacuation Order for the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers in Thurston and Lewis counties.
The Skookumchuck River rose to 215.99 feet as of 6:45 a.m. Friday, nearly 5 feet above the flood stage of 211.5 feet, and nearly tying the record is 216 feet. It is expected to fall below flood stage early Saturday afternoon, according to Thurston County Emergency Management.
Water levels on the Chehalis were measured at 169.37 feet as of 6 a.m. Friday. Flood stage is 168.5 feet. Residents living near the Chehalis were told to prepare for a quick evacuation if advised by law enforcement. Flood waters from the Chehalis typically cover many roads, such as SR-12 and James, Independence and Moon roads. Drivers are advised not to drive on flooded roads.
The Newaukum River near Chehalis reached a record high Friday morning after peaking at 205.59 feet overnight. The flood stage is 202.5 feet, and the previous record was 205.5 feet. The river is expected to dip below the flood stage between Saturday and Sunday.
The Deschutes River was measured near Rainier Vail Loop Bridge at 12.35 feet as of 6:45 a.m. It was measured earlier at 13.07 feet, with the flood stage at 11 feet. No evacuations are expected to be announced for the Deschutes.
Miller-Todd said the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers are going to continue to flood, and the Chehalis is expected to reach a record high. He said people need to make preparations no matter what, and sign up for emergency alerts online.
“We know this is hard; nobody wants to deal with flooding at the start of the new year,” Miller-Todd said. “But we want to minimize the risk to people as much as possible.”
A 20-mile stretch of I-5 was shut down Friday morning due to floodwaters between mileposts 68 and 88 in Thurston and Lewis counties. US Highway 6 was shut down due to flooding from milepost 6 to milepost 48 near Twin Oaks.
There are roads closed in Tumwater as well, including Tyee Drive between Trosper Road and Kingswood Drive due to flooding. Additional road closures are expected to be announced over the next couple of days.
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 8:22 AM.
.jpg)