Army Corps ready to respond as Western Washington rivers on flood watch

Published Oct. 20, 2017

SEATTLE—The Emergency Operations Center at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is activated and on extended shifts until further notice as flood watches and warnings have been issued for Western Washington rivers.  Rivers are expected to crest Saturday night into Sunday.

Engineers in the Corps’ Reservoir Control Center are monitoring conditions and may be on extended shifts this weekend to respond to forecast flooding. The RCC manages and regulates Mud Mountain and Howard Hanson Dams, both located near Enumclaw.  Both reservoirs are near empty and have storage space available to greatly reduce the risk of flooding on those rivers.

Flood fight teams are on alert for the White/Puyallup, Snoqualmie and Snohomish River basins. Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. The purpose is to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage associated with severe weather.

Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.

The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.


Contact
Public Affairs Office
206-764-3750
paoteam@nws02.usace.army.mil

Release no. 17-051