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Some Flood Waters Recede, Cleanup Begins

Posted: 7:08 am PST November 13, 2008Updated: 7:27 am PST November 14, 2008

The cleanup begins as some of the flood waters have begun to recede -- revealing flooded basements, damaged homes and log jams.

LIVESTREAM: Chopper 7 Over Flood Damage

For thousands of people, the flood danger isn’t over yet as the National Weather Service continued flood warnings Thursday for high water on the way down the Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Skykomish rivers.

The town of the Snoqualmie is one of the areas waiting for the water to recede, as the murky brown flood still fills the Snoqualmie River Valley.

VIDEO: Snoqualmie River Floods Entire Valley

VIDEO BACKSTORY: Tracking Flood Damage By Snoqualmie River
VIDEO BACKSTORY: Francavilla, On Wild Morning Of Flooding Coverage

The Snohomish River reached its peak Thursday at 10 a.m. Below the Highway 203 bridge, the river crested around 18 feet, roughly 3 feet above flood stage. A flood warning for the river continues until Saturday morning.

VIDEO: Snohomish River Turns Road Into Lake

One of the worst spots is Lincoln Road in Snohomish, which is a lake now, but under the water are streets, a park and at least two cars. Many other deep floodwaters will not drain out of some Snohomish County neighborhoods.

VIDEO: Neighbors Helping Neighbors In Snohomish County

  • The Tolt River near Carnation fell below flood stage early Thursday morning, the weather service said, and a flood warning for the Tolt has been canceled.

    VIDEO: Some Fall City Residents Say They've Had Enough

  • The town of Greenwater is cut off by a huge landslide with no way to get back towards Enumclaw. Tons of mud and trees came crashing down the mountainside Wednesday night, blocking Highway 410.

    Crews are working to clear the dark brown muck, but they're having trouble moving the logs -- some of them 10 feet in diameter.

  • Rain-swollen rivers and creeks in the South sound are beginning to return to normal after hundreds of residents were ordered out of their homes to avoid being trapped by flood water.

    South Prairie Creek overran its banks Wednesday forcing an emergency evacuation of residents there as fast moving water dumped mud and huge trees near people's homes.

    Pierce County emergency officials evacuated more than 200 people -- as the Puyallup and Carbon rivers rose beyond flood stage.

    Water still surrounds some mobile homes near the creek, but Thursday showed only minor damage in the flood's wake.

  • A log truck driver in Lewis County had to swim for his life Thursday after he lost control of his rig on a flooded road near the Cowlitz River in Randle.

    VIDEO: Log Truck Driver Swims For His Life

    Emergency repairs are finished on a broken dam that sent water rolling like a wave through the town of Cosmopolis in Grays Harbor County.

    A tree toppled and smashed into the dam early Wednesday morning, sending a torrent of water downstream. Several homes were flooded, along with city streets and backyards.

    The counties that declared states of emergency: Chelan, King, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom as well as the City of Snoqualmie, have all returned to normal levels of activation.

    Emergency officials estimate a small number of people were housed in shelters overnight. Only one shelter remained open today, although nine were open overnight.

    As the rivers have receded, many state highways have re-opened for travel, reports the Washington Department of Transportation.

    All Pierce County roadways are now open, while harder-hit areas of King and Lewis counties remain closed.

    Or get the latest road closure information from King County here.

    5-Day Forecast

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    Detailed Forecast

    Rebecca Stevenson
    Rebecca Stevenson is Chief Meteorologist for KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. Stevenson holds the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association.
    Meteorologist Profile

    Weather to Expect:

    Numerous showers and a risk of thunderstorms in western Washington tonight as a trough of low pressure moves through.
    Showers will continue overnight into Saturday morning, temperatures will be chilly in the morning in the low to mid 30s. The showers will be locally heavy within a convergence zone which poses the risk of wet snow mixing with rain within the zone. The snow level is near 1,500 feet so that it would not be difficult for a heavy shower to bring wet snow as low as 1,000 feet. That would bring the potential to locations like Cougar mountain, Issaquah Alps and Tiger mountain through early Saturday morning. Accumulation is not expected but it would make for slippery roads in the higher elevations.
    A new frontal system, storm #5, will bring increasing rain and breezy winds Saturday afternoon and evening. The storm will not be as powerful as the last 4 but will make itself known with more rain on top of already saturated soils. Highs will be cool in the 40s.
    Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

    Be prepared for winter driving in the passes. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Cascades through 6am as snow showers will bring an additional 6-10" of snow overnight....especially in the convergence zone between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass. ~Rebecca

    3 - Day Forecast
    Sat
    Rain
    45
    Sun
    Showers
    47
    Mon
    Wind and Rain
    48
    Seattle Metropolitan Area
    Weather to Expect:

    Numerous showers and a risk of thunderstorms in western Washington tonight as a trough of low pressure moves through.
    Showers will continue overnight into Saturday morning, temperatures will be chilly in the morning in the low to mid 30s. The showers will be locally heavy within a convergence zone which poses the risk of wet snow mixing with rain within the zone. The snow level is near 1,500 feet so that it would not be difficult for a heavy shower to bring wet snow as low as 1,000 feet. That would bring the potential to locations like Cougar mountain, Issaquah Alps and Tiger mountain through early Saturday morning. Accumulation is not expected but it would make for slippery roads in the higher elevations.
    A new frontal system, storm #5, will bring increasing rain and breezy winds Saturday afternoon and evening. The storm will not be as powerful as the last 4 but will make itself known with more rain on top of already saturated soils. Highs will be cool in the 40s.
    Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

    Be prepared for winter driving in the passes. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Cascades through 6am as snow showers will bring an additional 6-10" of snow overnight....especially in the convergence zone between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass. ~Rebecca