By Martha Bellisle
The Associated Press
ISSAQUAH — Heavy rain sent a creek over a major roadway, under an apartment building east of Seattle and up to the foundations of homes on Thursday as heavy rains pounded the region.
Amanda Amphett, a resident of the Park Shore Apartments in Issaquah, said Issaquah Creek reached their parking lot by late Wednesday night. Her neighbor knocked on her door at 5 a.m. Thursday told her that the river was running under their building.
“It’s been an adventure,” Amphett said.
A flood watch was in effect through this afternoon across most of western Washington, including Clallam and Jefferson counties. Numerous roads were closed because of water over the roadway. Officials also warned of landslide risks.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday for 19 Washington counties, including Clallam and Jefferson, because of storms that are forecast to continue through this weekend.
A failed culvert caused additional flooding on in and around Issaquah, which is about 17 miles east of Seattle.
“Rock and soil spilling from hillside crammed the culvert full of debris,” King County officials said on Twitter. “The water has nowhere else to go. We built a berm to help direct water to creek so it wouldn’t damage the road or flood homes.”
Water was also over roadways near Carnation.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office warned on Twitter that the Nisqually River was flooding. County roads in the Nisqually Valley have been closed due to water on the road.
The Lacey Fire Department said on Twitter that Tacoma Power would increase the flow from LaGrande Dam by 1 p.m. Thursday. Residents living in the Nisqually Delta were urged to evacuate. The river was expected to peak by 4 p.m.
Up to six inches of rain is expected in parts of Snohomish County, and King County activated its flood warning center and will continue to monitor conditions of area rivers. King County issued flood warnings on seven rivers and Issaquah Creek after a major weather system brought heavy rains across most of Western Washington.
KOMO TV reports major flooding is expected or already occurring on four rivers: the Snoqualmie near Carnation, the Tolt above Carnation, the Carbon near Firfax and the Cowlitz at Randle.
Four other rivers are experiencing moderate flooding: the Cedar near Landsburg, the Snoqualmie near Snoqualmie Falls, the White at R Street Bridge, and the Snohomish at Snohomish and near Monroe.
A street is flooded by overflowing Issaquah Creek in Issaquah as heavy rains pound the area Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Rain storms are triggering flood warnings on rivers across western Washington state. Major flooding is expected or already occurring on four rivers: the Snoqualmie near Carnation, the Tolt above Carnation, the Carbon near Fairfax and the Cowlitz at Randle. (Martha Bellisle/The Associated Press)
