By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Rain associated with a strong warm front spread out over Southwest Washington this afternoon and is expected to continue tonight and tomorrow, with flood warnings in effect on several area rivers including the Chehalis River.
Tonight’s flood statement from the National Weather Service said minor flooding is expected from the Chehalis River at Doty, beginning about 1 o’clock tomorrow morning and cresting there by 4 a.m.
As the river moves through Chehalis and into Centralia, it will cause moderate flooding, according to the Weather Service.
Near Mellen Street in Centralia, it should spill over it banks about 6 o’clock tomorrow night and then crest about 10 a.m. on Monday, according to the flood statement issued tonight.
Forecasters expect major flooding as it reaches Grand Mound.
Authorities are urging the public to listen to local radio for updates, and to make sure to be adequately prepared beforehand.
Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield reminds folks they can monitor emergency alert systems such as a NOAA Weather Radio and use the county’s “code red” system.”
Mansfield warns citizens sandbags won’t likely save their homes if a person doesn’t have a large enough inventory as well as a prepared response for how to use them. The sheriff indicated the county doesn’t have enough to handle all the private sandbag requests they get during an event.
The city of Centralia will be offering sand bags and sand for its residents beginning at 7 a.m. tomorrow at three locations: the 100 block of West Center Street, Summa Street on the east side of the mainline railroad tracks and the northeast corner of Reynolds Avenue and Pearl Street.
Police officers will be there confirming addresses since only city residents are eligible, according Police Chief Bob Berg.
Flood stage on the Chehalis River in Centralia is 65 feet. It’s forecast to reach 70.6 feet Monday morning and won’t return to below flood stage until Tuesday morning, according to the Weather Service.
At 68.5 feet, the river will flood some residential and commercial areas with water encroaching on the first floors of some buildings.
Swift water will cover some roads, leading to the reminder that most flood-related deaths in the state come from cars, vans and trucks driving through flooded areas.
Forecasters also say minor flooding from the Skookumchuck River at Centralia will begin around 12 a.m. Monday. The river will crest there about 4 a.m. It will affect farmlands and also some roads.
The Skookumchuck is expected to cause moderate flooding at Bucoda before that. The Weather Service reports it will crest a little more than two feet above flood stage around 4 a.m. Monday.
Out west, in the areas around Doty, forecasters say residents should expect water from the Upper Chehalis River and the South Fork Chehalis River to inundate many roads and some residential and commercial areas.
Flood stage for the Chehalis River is 13 feet at Doty and the river will reach 13.1 feet, according to tonight’s forecast.
Impacted roadways and surrounding areas out there include Moon Hill, Wildwood, Lake creek, Curtis Hill, L Abri and Front Street, according to the weather service.
The expected levels of the Chehalis River correspond to a phase two flood under the Lewis County flood system.
The Newaukum River is also expected to cause moderate flooding, and the latest statement from the weather service suggests its beginning later than previously expected.
Forecasters now suggest it will overflow beginning about 10 p.m. tonight but still crest at Chehalis at about 13 feet around 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
The statement issued just before 8:30 p.m. tonight calls the Newaukum’s expected levels a phase three flood under the Lewis County flood system. Several more roads were added which could be impacted, including Bishop, Shorey, Labree, Gish and Yates.
The Newaukum is expected to fall below flood stage Monday afternoon.
The warnings are accompanied by others issued today of moderate flooding from the Cowlitz River near Randle and minor flooding on the Nisqually River near National affecting Lewis and Pierce counties
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Read the latest flood warnings, watches and weather statements here
Check the river level forecast for your area here
Check the weather forecast or your area here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter