Welcome to Skagit County
|
Date:
October 22, 2003 TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN RETURNING TO FLOODED HOMES The Skagit County Health Department advises residents to take precautions to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy when returning to flooded homes. They should also remain alert to possible changing conditions until the flood emergency is declared over. Recommended health and safety precautions are posted on the Skagit County website, www.skagitcounty.net, and available from the Skagit County Health Department at 336-9380. Displaced residents are asked to not return to areas evacuated until officially given the OK to do so. The evacuation of Hamilton and Fir Island is still in effect. The evacuation has been lifted for all other areas under evacuation orders issued yesterday. Skagit County officials are asking homeowners and businesses that received flood damage to call the Skagit County Public Works Department at 360 336-9400. It is important that all citizens who received damage identify themselves and get on a list so that they can be contacted in the future if disaster assistance becomes available. Motorists are still advised to avoid the South Fork Bridge over the Skagit River. It has been closed since last night and will remain closed until further notice by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the closure is to remove a large debris jam that has accumulated against the bridge. The Skagit River at Mount Vernon is continuing to recede from the 36.2 feet crest registered late last night. The reading at 1:00 PM today was 33.3 feet. The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM yesterday. At 1:00 PM today the Skagit at Concrete was at 31.3 feet. Flood stage at both locations is 28 feet. The latest prediction from the National Weather Service is that the Skagit River will remain near or just above flood stage at both Concrete and Mount Vernon today and most of tomorrow. The Skagit is expected to drop below flood stage at both locations by this weekend. 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. |