Whitman County flooding closes Highway 27

Rain and snow combined with frozen ground has triggered a round of minor flooding in Whitman County and forced closure of state Highway 27 at Pine Creek this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Whitman County after water began creating ponds in low-lying areas today. The advisory is expected to last through 6:45 p.m. Flood water was standing near Rosalia, Oakesdale and Pullman, the weather service said. Highway 27 was closed earlier today by the state after water encroached on the roadway along a low-lying stretch adjacent to Pine Creek. A time for reopening was not known. Rainfall picked up in the Pullman area late this morning, but was subsiding by early afternoon. Frozen ground was preventing rainfall from soaking into the ground, the weather service said.