Flood Warning Issued for Skookumchuck River in Thurston County Through Sunday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Seattle WA has issued a Flood Warning for the Skookumchuck River near Bucoda. This alert is a re-issuance of a previous warning, updated with the latest flood information and river stage measurements.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts Thurston County, Washington, with the primary threat centered on the Skookumchuck River near the town of Bucoda.

What You Should Do

Residents and motorists are urged to follow the safety mantra: “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or navigate cars through flooded areas. Use extreme caution at night when it is significantly harder to recognize the dangers of rising water.

Expected Conditions

Moderate flooding is currently occurring and is forecast to continue. As of 9:45 PM PDT on Friday, the river stage was recorded at 213.5 feet, which is two feet above the flood stage of 211.5 feet. At the 213.0-foot level, the river floods several residential and business areas around Bucoda, and floodwaters cover many local roads. The river is forecast to rise to a crest of 214.3 feet.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective immediately and remains in place until 9:46 PM PDT on Sunday, March 15. The river is expected to reach its crest late Saturday morning and is forecast to fall below flood stage by Sunday afternoon.