Welcome to Skagit County
|
News
Release Number: 17 SKAGIT RIVER FORECAST REVISED TO 37 FEET AT 11:00 PM AT THE MOUNT VERNON GAUGE The National Weather
Service has revised their forecast for the Skagit River to crest near
37 feet feet in Mount Vernon at 11:00 PM tonight. The previous forecast
was at 38 feet. The river stage in Mount Vernon at 9:00 PM was 35.40
feet. The National Weather Service predicts that the Skagit River will drop below flood stage briefly by Wednesday afternoon then rise a few feet again before dropping below flood stage Saturday. The US Army Corps of Engineers now advises that the South Fork Bridge over the Skagit River will be closed from approximately 7:00 PM this evening to 5:30 AM tomorrow morning. One lane will periodically be open for a short time. The purpose of the closure is to remove an extensive debris jam from the bridge. Officials are
now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary and mandatory
evacuations of many low-lying areas in the Sedro-Woolley, Burlington
and Mount Vernon areas, as well as Fir Island. The American Red Cross
is or already has established shelters at the following locations
for those who are displaced: 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. |