MASON COUNTY, Wash. — Heavy rainfall over the weekend prompted flood advisories for parts of western Washington Monday morning.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flash Flood Watch for the west slopes of the north central Cascades and passes near the Bolt Creek Fire burn scar in Snohomish and King counties that expired Monday evening. The burn scar is near US 2.
Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Copple said the flooding on US 2 came after a series of tough times for businesses.
"It's kind of been a one two punch, COVID and then they were just getting their feet back under them and the fires hit," Copple said. "What we really need is to keep the highway open, get people out here to support our folks. Come get dinner, get a beer, ride the train."
She is hopeful that with the smoky air cleared, people will come out to enjoy the fall foliage, rent a cabin for the weekend, do some holiday shopping and patronize food and drink businesses.
The Economic Alliance for Snohomish County is also hosting a fundraising event November 10 and taking donations to help businesses impacted by the fire and associated closures. To donate, click here.
The NWS said around 1.5 inches of rain fell in the vicinity of the Bolt Creek Fire between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
The weather service warned heavy rain over the burn scar could create flash flooding and debris flows. No major flooding was reported as of Monday evening.
King County also issued a Flood Alert for the Snoqualmie River around 1:30 a.m. Monday, which has since expired. The country said the river reached flood stage 2 and minor flooding was expected in low-lying areas.
A Flood Warning was also in effect for the Skokomish River at Potlatch in Mason County until Monday evening. The NWS said heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river caused the Skokomish River to rise above the flood stage Monday morning.
The weather service said around 10:50 a.m. that the river had crested at the minor flood stage and is expected to recede through the rest of the day.
The NWS reminded drivers not to attempt to drive around barricades or travel through flooded areas.
Leaves have plugged some drains, which could also produce areas of standing water on roadways and freeways Monday.
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