Welcome to Skagit County

January 17th, 2005

SKAGIT RIVER ON FLOOD WARNING AT CONCRETE

Skagit River predicted to reach flood stage near Concrete at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning

SKAGIT COUNTY – The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Skagit River near Concrete. The Skagit River is predicted to reach flood stage (28 feet) near Concrete at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, and crest near 36 feet around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2005.

A flood watch remains in effect for the Skagit River at Mount Vernon. Indications are that the Skagit will reach flood stage at Mount Vernon late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Flood stage on the Skagit River is 28 feet at both Concrete and Mount Vernon. At 4:30 p.m. today the gage at Concrete read 18.92 feet. The reading at the Mount Vernon gage was 13.74 feet.

A strong, wet southeasterly flow will produce periods of heavy rain over Western Washington. A plume of warm, tropical moisture originating from northwest of Hawaii will cause freezing levels to rise above 8,000 feet. The heaviest precipitation is expected in the Olympics and North and Central Cascades. Flood weather conditions could extend for several days and are subject to change.

Residents living along flood prone rivers and tributaries should be ready to act quickly when the National Weather Service issues a flood warning. Driving through flooded areas is the cause of most flood related deaths in Washington. Planning ahead to protect animals and livestock is also advised.

A “Flood Watch” is the first of two basic advisories issued by the National Weather Service and is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. The second basic advisory issued is a “Flood Warning.” A flood warning is issued when flooding conditions are expected to develop.

“Phase 1” flooding inundates low areas near the Skagit River and may cover a few sections of roads. A “Phase 1” flood will read from 28 to 32 feet at the USGS gage at Concrete and at Mount Vernon.

“Phase 2” flooding inundates a wider area and may cause significant damage. A “Phase 2” flood will read 32 to 37 feet at Concrete and 32 to 35.6 feet at the Mount Vernon gage.

“Phase 3” flooding can cause catastrophic damage in the Skagit Valley. A “Phase 3” flood will read 37 to 48.8 feet at Concrete and 35.6 to 40+ feet at Mount Vernon.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson @ 360-336-9400