The National Weather Service (“NWS”) has issued a flood warning for Yakima County that is currently anticipated to remain in effect through 10:00 am tomorrow (Thursday, March 10th). A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or actually occurring.
Should flooding occur, media inquiries regarding the City of Yakima response should be directed to Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler by calling 509-901-1142 or sending an e-mail to randy.beehler@yakimawa.gov.
The flood warning issued by the NWS also applies to all of Yakima County and Kittitas County. Recent rainfall has saturated the ground and has pushed creeks, streams, and rivers to unusually high levels. A warm front is expected to bring between a half-inch to one inch of rain to Central Washington this afternoon and overnight. When combined with melting mountain snow, the rain is expected to cause some creeks, streams, and rivers to overflow their banks.
The NWS expects water levels in creeks, streams, and rivers to rise slowly and is not predicting flash flooding. Still, the NWS is directing owners of property near creeks, streams, and rivers to take all necessary precautions immediately. The NWS is encouraging people who may be near creeks, streams, and rivers to not stay in areas when water levels begin to rise and, if flooding occurs, to immediately move to higher ground. The NWS is advising people to be especially cautious at night, because it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding when it is dark.
Some of the locations that are likely to experience flooding within the next 24 hours include Yakima, Ellensburg, Sunnyside, Cle Elum, Toppenish, Selah, Union Gap, Wapato, Granger, Zillah, Kittitas, Tieton, Roslyn, Naches, Harrah, Donald, Liberty, Wiley City, Sawyer, and Wymer.
Updates may be provided by the City of Yakima as conditions warrant.