Rivers will continue to rise today as a warm, wet storm continues to roll through.
But despite a flood watch, none of the rivers on the North Olympic Peninsula were on the National Weather Service’s list of those likely to spill their banks Saturday evening.
The watch will remain in effect through Monday afternoon, and people should still be wary of swollen rivers and water-covered roads, said Johnny Burg, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle.
“If you’re nearby areas that are prone to flooding, just be wary of that,” he said.
“I would just like to stress: Don’t drive through flooded roads.”
Between 1 inch and 2 inches of rain are expected to fall on the Peninsula lowlands today and Monday, Burg said.
But some parts of the Olympic Mountains could receive 4 inches to 9 inches of rain, he said.
The snow level is expected to reach 8,000 feet today.
If river flooding occurs, the heavy rain in the mountains combined with snow melt will be to blame, Burg said.
Flooding is expected elsewhere in the state.
Forecasters said the Chehalis, Snohomish and Snoqualmie rivers were expected to flood by today or Monday as rainstorms dump more than half a foot of water in a 24-hour period.
The storm Saturday soaked parts of southwest Washington and threatened to trigger landslides and flood suburbs of Portland, Ore.
Bob Hamlin, Jefferson County emergency manager, said the county is prepared for any flooding.
Sand bags are ready for the flood-prone Hoh River, he said, and a duty officer is keeping an eye on the storm 24 hours a day.
Ron Peregrin, Clallam County emergency manager and undersheriff, couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
Hamlin said storm-related information for Jefferson County will be posted at www.emergency-information.blogspot.com.
Clallam County’s emergency management website is at www.clallam.net/EmergencyManagement.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
