Welcome to Skagit County
January 18th, 2005
COMMISSIONERS SIGN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION
Flood predicted to crest
near Concrete, 4:00 P.M. Wednesday
SKAGIT COUNTY – The
Skagit County Board of Commissioners signed an Emergency Resolution this morning
in response to flood conditions in Skagit County. The resolution will stay in
effect until the condition stabilizes.
The National Weather Service now predicts the Skagit River to crest near Concrete at 36.5 feet at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and 33.9 feet at Mount Vernon, at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. Current river levels are 25.7 feet as of 10:15 a.m. today at Concrete and 23.4 feet at Mount Vernon.
People living in low lying areas and streams that normally experience flooding should take precautions to protect themselves and their property. Deep and swift flood waters may inundate and damage roads, farms, businesses, and residential areas. Cape Horn, Hamilton, Thunderbird, Cockreham Island, the Nookachamps and Sterling areas may be inundated.
A strong, wet southeasterly flow is producing periods of heavy rain over Western Washington possibly for the next several days. 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.
If evacuations become necessary please listen to local radio stations for more information or check Skagit County’s website at www.skagitcounty.net
Currently there are no road closures in Skagit County, but Chuckanut Drive near Oyster Creek and State Route 20 near New Halem are closed due to slides.
For further information, contact: Dan Berentson or
Don McKeehen
360-428-3250