Flood Warning Issued for Chehalis River in Grays Harbor and Thurston Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Seattle, WA, has issued a Flood Warning for the Chehalis River above Grand Mound. This alert is a re-issuance of a previous warning, updated with the latest hydrological information regarding rising water levels.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts Grays Harbor and Thurston counties in Washington. The primary area of concern is the Chehalis River above Grand Mound. At the forecast flood levels, several roads in Independence Valley will be affected, including James Road, Independence Road, and Moon Road. Nearby farm lands are also expected to be covered by flood waters.

What You Should Do

Motorists are urged to follow the safety mantra: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to drive around barricades or navigate cars through flooded areas. Residents should be especially cautious at night when it is significantly harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.

Expected Conditions

Minor flooding is forecast for the region. As of 10:00 PM PDT Friday, the river stage was measured at 140.8 feet, just below the flood stage of 141.0 feet. The river is expected to rise above flood stage shortly after midnight tonight and reach a crest of 142.3 feet late Saturday evening.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective from March 13 at 10:50 PM PDT until 4:51 AM PDT on Monday, March 16. The river is expected to rise above flood stage after midnight on Saturday and is projected to fall below flood stage by Sunday evening.