Possible flood on the way this weekend in Snoqualmie Valley, watchers warn

Forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say the Snoqualmie Valley may experience a mild or medium flood this weekend. NOAA figures released through the Valley's Floodzilla website Thursday morning, Dec. 9, predict high water on the Snoqualmie River on Sunday, Dec. 12, rising to 25,191 cubic feet at the Three Forks by 10 a.m.. At Snoqualmie Falls, the river is expected to rise to 27,000 cfs on Sunday. At Carnation, the river is expected to reach 30,800 cfs.

Forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say the Snoqualmie Valley may experience a mild flood this weekend.

NOAA figures released through the Valley’s Floodzilla website Thursday morning, Dec. 9, predict high water on the Snoqualmie River on Sunday, Dec. 12, rising to 25,191 cubic feet at the Three Forks by 10 a.m.. At Snoqualmie Falls, the river is expected to rise to 27,000 cfs on Sunday. At Carnation, the river is expected to reach 30,800 cfs.

No formal flood alert has been issued by King County, and no flood warning center has been opened as yet.

According to King County, a level of 20,000 cfs at Three Forks means flooding of various depths in the entire Valley. Overtopped roads include the Fall City-Carnation Road, Tolt Hill Road, Novelty Flats Road, Neal Road, Reinig Road, West Snoqualmie River Road, Meadowbrook Way and Mill Pond Road.

Predicted flood levels are smaller than previous events in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

The January 2009 flood topped 54,000 cfs at Three Forks.

Snoqualmie Fire Chief Bob Rowe said the flood is not expected to impact downtown residents.

“It gets to be a problem for us above 35,000” cfs at the Falls, Rowe said. “It that’s the crest, it won’t affect any streets.”

The water may overtop Mill Pond Road and other outer, low-lying areas.

More flooding may be experienced in the Lower Valley and at the Tolt-Snoqualmie confluence, Rowe said.

Rowe planned to attend a web conference with area flood agencies on the predictions this afternoon.