As the temperatures climb back to normal and the rain returns to wash away the snow, the concern for Western Washington residents is shifting from freezing to flooding.
But don’t worry yet, says the National Weather Service – there’s no reason to start building an ark or pairing up the neighbors’ pets.
“The flooding is going to be more of a nuisance,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Johnny Burg in a phone interview Friday. “We’re not looking for a biblical flood.”
According to Burg, the forecast calls for temperatures warming into the high 30s and 40s over the next week with traditional, Northwest rainy winter weather settling back in.
“It’s going to be wet over the next week,” Burg said, but added that rain amounts will not be unusual for this time of year.
“We’re not going to get a ton of rain.”
A flood watch for King County, in effect since noon Friday, was scheduled to expire Sunday morning.
Burg said the rain was expected to come down at a rate of about an inch per day. And though that is “normal for this time of year,” the combination of rain and melting snow could push some sewer systems to the brink.
Burg said frozen drains and overloaded systems could create a “ponding” effect at low-lying streets and intersections throughout southern King County.
“The problem we’re looking at, especially the lowland, is the probability of urban flooding and small stream flooding,” he said.
According to Burg, the worry is not the rivers, but city storm drains, but he repeated that it would not be “catastrophic.”
According to Kent Storm Drainage Supervisor Jens Vincent, the city crews have been clearing curb lines to catch to collect water running off the city’s hills.
As of Friday afternoon, Vincent said 76th Avenue was beginning to puddle between 228th Street and 212th Street, but said there was little the city could do to prevent it.
“All we can do down there is put some signs up,” Vincent said.
Vincent said water may be an issue in traditional spots, such as the bottom of hills like Canyon Road and James Street.
Another trouble spot may be 72nd Avenue, also between 228th and 212th, but because they are low-lying land, Vincent said there was little the city could do.
“Those are areas we can do absolutely nothing about,” he said.
Vincent also said that sand put down on roads could affect drains.
King County Emergency Management Spokesperson Lynne Miller said county public works crews are also clearing drains and asking residents to dig out and clear drains in their neighborhoods to help facilitate the melting water.
“Keep drains clean so we can keep water flowing,” she said.
Burg said while this December storm was a “once per decade” event, snowfall totals at Sea-Tac airport did not break a record for December.
Since the snow began Dec. 13, Burg said the airport has recorded 13.2 inches of snow.
While some areas, especially those north and east of the city received higher totals due to Seattle being shadowed by the Olympic Mountains, Burg said the totals do not come anywhere near the Seattle record for December of 22.1 inches, set 40 years ago in 1968.
Burg also said resident whose home or garages have flat roofs could be in danger of collapse due to the weight of melting snow and ice. Burg said if it is safe to get on the roof and remove snow, residents should do so.
Kent resident who run across flooded areas can notify city Public Works crew at 253-856-5600 during business hours or can call 911 in the evenings.
Brian Beckley can be reached at 253-437-6012 or bbeckley@kentreporter.com
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