Welcome to Skagit County

Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 11:00 A.M.
From: Skagit County Public Works

EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY IN THE DOWNRIVER AREAS OF THE SKAGIT RIVER

Officials are now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary evacuations of many low-lying areas of the down-river portions of the Skagit River. The American Red Cross is setting up additional shelters for those who are displaced. The areas being evacuated and shelters for evacuees include:
- Inside the Riverbend area of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to the Mount Vernon High School or Skagit Valley College.
- Portions of the west side of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to Rexville Grange.
- Fir Island near Conway - displaced residents are advised to go to the Conway Fire Hall.
- Gages Slough east of Burlington - displaced residents are advised to go to the Bay View School or to the Allen School.

Highway 20 will be closed from Gardner Road east past Collins Road. Burlington City Officials are advising residents of the Gages Slough area within the City Limits to prepare for possible evacuation. Early this afternoon Officials will make the evacuation decision and affected residents will be notified.

The Skagit Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help. Volunteers should report directly to the Chapter headquarters at 119 S. 14th Street in Mount Vernon.
People living in the flood plain are advised to move important records to a safe area.

Officials are advising businesses located in or near Burlington, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley to consider closing early this afternoon so that employees will have adequate time to return home during daylight hours and prepare for any followup actions necessary due to the flood. Additionally, officials request that businesses and agencies with employees who live in these three cities consider early release of their employees.

The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 11:00 AM today it was reading 40.56 feet. Flood stage at Concrete is 28 feet. The 11:00 AM gauge reading at Mount Vernon was 30.40 feet. The forecast crest for the Skagit in Mount Vernon from the National Weather Service is 38 feet at 7:00 PM tonight. Flood stage at Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425 or visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web.