Phase Two flood alert issued for Cedar River; Flood Warning Center continues to monitor river levels

While water levels on most rivers and streams are continuing to drop following several days of steady rain, the King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase Two flood warning for the Cedar River, where just minor and isolated flooding is possible.

Staff with the Flood Warning Center, which has been open since 6 a.m. on Jan. 10, noted that at 3 p.m. the Cedar River was flowing at 2,880 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Landsburg gage, slightly above the Phase Two flood warning threshold of 2,800 cfs.

At this level, minor flooding could be anticipated along the Cedar River, most likely in the area around the Jones Road-156th Southeast area east of Renton.

Elsewhere in King County, most rivers and streams have been receding throughout the day, most notably the Green River, which had been well into Phase Three flood warning status for much of the week.

As of 3 p.m., the Green River was flowing at 8,440 cfs at the Auburn gage, below the 9,000 cfs level at which moderate flooding could be expected. Low-lying areas in the upper Green River Valley could still occur in the Green River Valley above Auburn. Green River flows are expected to stabilize at roughly 9,000 cfs.

All other rivers in King County have fallen significantly. The White River is stable in Phase Two, Issaquah Creek and the Tolt River are in Phase One and the Snoqualmie River is below flood warning levels.

King County's Flood Warning Center will remain open and continue to monitor lowland flooding on major rivers and streams, and will continue to patrol levee conditions while rivers are high.

For the latest in road closure information, visit the Regional Public Information Network website at RPIN.org. If you spot a problem on a road maintained by King County, report it by calling 206-296-6515 or 1-800 KC ROADS if you live outside the greater Seattle calling area.

Real-time river level information is available online by visiting: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site at www.metrokc.gov, or can visit RPIN, the area's regional Web site at www.govlink.org. Road closures and other emergency information will be posted on the RPIN Web site as it becomes available.

A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932.

Public Health-Seattle & King County, meanwhile, is also reporting that wells have the potential to become contaminated with sewage, pesticides, or other substances during a flood. If you suspect your well may be contaminated, do not drink the water.
If you know your well is going to be contaminated, collect enough water for several days, using clean and disinfected containers. After a flood, get your well water tested and disinfected before use. If you have questions about disinfection, call Public Health at 206-296-4932.

Flooded basements may become contaminated with sewage. It's important to avoid contact with sewage, and to take precautions to clean and disinfect your basement properly.

For guidelines on well disinfection and cleaning a basement after a flood, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/health/disaster/index.htm