The only difference between adventure and disaster is preparedness.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Flood Watch in Effect for NW Oregon and SW Washington

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon for SW WA and NW OR.

From National Weather Service:

Confidence continues to increase that a classic atmospheric river type precipitation event will set up over the Pacific Northwest over the weekend and continue into early Monday.  A deep and moist westerly flow is expected to develop Saturday morning and strengthen later Saturday and Sunday. 

The I-5 Corridor and Lower Columbia Valley can expect around 1-2 inches of rain on Saturday and an additional 1-3 inches on Sunday.  The Cowlitz River is projected to reach close to flood stage, but not bankfull. 

Cowlitz County DEM will update the weather/flooding status as more information becomes available.

Terms to know

FLOOD WATCH means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.  Please monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. 

FLOOD STAGE is the point at which the water level in a stream may cause damage to structures. It may be below bankfull stage if structures are located in a floodway.

BANKFULL is the point at which the water level in a stream overtops the banks and spreads out onto the floodplain.

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