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News Release Number: 14
Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 3:30 PM
From: Skagit County Public Works

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS HAMPERING EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office advises that traffic congestion along the I-5 corridor is causing emergency vehicles and heavy equipment to be delayed in responding to the flood. Officials are requesting all citizens not directly involved in the flood fight operation to go home and remain at home. Officials request that citizens refrain from attempting to drive near the river to observe the flood.

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 Elementary School.
- Gages Slough within the Burlington City limits and east - displaced residents are advised to go to the Bay View School or to the Allen School.

Highway 20 may be closed from Gardner Road east past Collins Road if conditions warrant.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has notified authorities that the South Fork Bridge over the Skagit River will be closed from approximately 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM this evening for log debris removal work.

Sandbagging volunteers are requested to report to the Dike District #3 headquarters in Conway across from the fire hall. The Skagit Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is also seeking volunteers. Red Cross volunteers should report directly to the Chapter headquarters at 119 S. 14th Street in Mount Vernon.

The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 3:00 PM today it was reading 36.42 feet. The 3:15 PM gauge reading at Mount Vernon was 33.26 feet. The forecast crest for the Skagit in Mount Vernon from the National Weather Service is 38 feet at 9:00 PM this evening. Flood stage at both Concrete and Mount Vernon is 28 feet.

County and other 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, visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web or listen to local radio stations.