Video: Multiple water rescues on Green River

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SEATTLE - The Green River and Cedar River were closed to all recreational traffic Saturday afternoon, as the spring melt-off created dangerous conditions.

Two day of solid sun caused the rivers to rise. A spokesperson for the King County Sheriff's Office said the water was too high, too fast and too cold.

Sheriff's deputies were assisting on the scene of multiple water rescues in the Green River area, including boaters stuck in log jams, a possible missing kayaker and boats unable to get down the river.

Reports of the missing kayaker came in at about 1:15 in the afternoon. Witnesses reported seeing a man in a kayak possibly flipped over near the Green River Bridge.

Sgt. John Urquhart said rescuers were "overwhelmed." Command posts were set up at Flaming Geyser, Kanasket Palmer, and Hanging Gardens state parks.

A flood watch remains in effect through Sunday evening for parts of Western Washington, including King, Lewis and Pierce Counties, according to the National Weather Service.

"This is a relatively rare event for King County," said Ken Gresset, of the King County Department of Resources. "This is a snowmelt flood, and we had temperatures of 80 degrees yesterday."

Rivers at most risk of flooding are the Snoqualmie, Puyallup, White, Nisqually and Cowlitz.

The Snoqualmie River was rising the fastest. It was expected to flood Sunday in Carnation. On Saturday, three roads were closed in Snohomish County due to high water and some farmland was flooded.

An avalanche warning for the Cascade and Olympic Mountains is in effect.

In eastern Washington the flooding is already happening on some rivers. The Spokane River, which flows out of Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho to the Columbia River in central Washington, is expected to crest in the middle of next week, the Weather Service said.

KING

The middle fork of the Snoqualmie River.

The Naches River near Yakima crested on Friday, while the Yakima River is expected to reach flood stage late Monday and to crest Tuesday night.

The Weather Service predicted minor flooding in low-lying areas along the Wenatchee River and in the Entiat Valley by early Sunday morning.

The warm temperatures prompted flood warnings and watches on most rivers in Chelan and Okanogan counties in north-central Washington. The Stehekin River already spilled over its banks in places.

Yakima County officials were preparing for the worst.

"Most of the people who have lived there understand that high water comes and high water goes. It appears this water may be a little higher than our normal spring runoff might be and they need to prepare for that," said Jim Hall, Yakima County Emergency Management.

Idaho flooding

On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter declared state disaster emergencies for Clearwater and Idaho counties in anticipation of flood damage, paving the way for additional state support to the counties if needed.

In northern Idaho, Kootenai County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday and established no-wake zones for boats on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Coeur d'Alene River and the Spokane River.

"We're just trying to be proactive instead of reactive," Commissioner Rich Piazza said. "We'll call in all the needed resources when the time is appropriate."

The Coeur d'Alene River at Cataldo was expected to crest nearly two feet above flood stage by Sunday morning, but Sandy Von Behren, director of the county's Office of Emergency Management, said only one home near Wolf Lodge Creek was in imminent danger.

Volunteers used a bulldozer and sandbags to wall off the rising water.

Flood warnings also were issued for the St. Joe River at St. Maries.

Rivers and lakes are dangerously cold

King County Public Health officials say people should think twice before jumping into lakes and rivers, which are extremely cold this time of year because of winter runoff. Rivers will be running high and swift.

The Health Dept. says in 2007, there were 24 unintentional drowning deaths in King County. Fifteen of those occurred in rivers, lakes, or Puget Sound. Six of them took place during the months of May and June, when waters are still very cold from winter runoff.

Ken Ludwick

Viewer Ken Ludwick snapped this photo of Skookum Falls just off Highway 410 to Crystal Mtn. He writes: "This is a result of the mass snow melt in the Cascades, I havent seen this waterfall flow this heavy with sun in a long time."

Eastside Fire and Rescue is worried they'll see more people getting into trouble by jumping into the ice cold swift water.

"You get muscle tired, so you're not as strong as you were when you first went into the water," said Greg Tryon, spokesperson. "Then the cold starts affecting your brain, so you don't realize you're in trouble."

Two people have already died this year on the Washington coast in rip tides.

Ocean Shores Deputy Police Chief Russ Fitts says a simple safety rule for waders to follow is, "Ankles OK, knees no way."