SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- From the executive's office of Snohomish County:

In preparation for mid-week flooding, the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management will staff its emergency operations center beginning Wednesday morning, Jan. 7.

National Weather Service forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches of rain throughout Snohomish County, creating the likelihood of flooding on all major river systems in the county Wednesday night through Thursday evening.

Snow melt during past weeks has inundated soils and could exacerbate conditions.

Residents in low-lying areas - especially those cut off by flood waters in November 2006 and November 2008 - should expect similar conditions. Those residents should prepare accordingly with supplies or consider voluntary evacuation until flood waters recede, which is expected Thursday evening.

The Skykomish River at Gold Bar is forecast to crest above flood stage late Wednesday night followed by crests on the Snohomish River in Monroe and Snohomish on Thursday morning and late afternoon respectively.

The South Fork of the Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls and the North Fork near Arlington are expected to crest above flood stage Wednesday night.

In addition to river flooding, there is risk of rain-induced landslides.

DEM will continue to monitor river conditions until river levels recede.

Should flooding occur, citizens are urged to stay away from rising waters and not to drive through areas of flowing or standing water or around road-closure barriers.

Road flooding should be reported to the municipality where it occurs. Flooding on county roads can be reported to the Public Works Department at 425-388-7500 or contact.pwrm@snoco.org.

Road closure lists and flood updates can be found at http://www.snoco.org. Additional flooding issues can be reported to Emergency Management at 425-388-5060.

Snow Storm Damages For Snohomish County Due This Week

Damages from snow, ice and winds occurring between Dec. 13 and 26, 2008, need to be reported to the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, according to a press release from the executive's office in Snohomish County.

The damage assessments from residents, businesses, farmers and government agencies will be used to determine and justify the need for possible state and/or federal assistance.

DEM has collected information on more than $8.5 million in damages, with the majority coming from public agencies.

The Snohomish County Public Utility District's initial estimate totals about $6.5 million in damages and repairs to utility infrastructure. Reports from Snohomish County Public Works signal another $1.5 million in damages to public roads and infrastructure.

The remainder is from reported damages to individual residences, businesses and farms. However, some damages may not be eligible for any assistance that might be made available.

With the potential for flooding this week, it is important to keep damages from different events separate.

Residential, agricultural and business damages can be reported by calling the DEM office at 425-388-5060 or by filling out and returning a damage-assessment form found at www.snoco.org/departments/emergency_management.

Individuals must to provide an address where the damage occurred, the amount and type of damage, primary and secondary insurance information as well as deductible amounts. All damages should be documented with photographs if possible. Damages also should be reported to private insurance providers.

Farmers should also report all damages and losses to the Farm Service Agency by calling 425-335-5634, extension 2.

Snohomish County departments, municipalities and public agencies should complete and return PA-1/2 forms to the county DEM.

DEM staff is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist or answer questions. They can be reached at 425-388-5060.