Swollen Rivers, Streams In Central Washington Slowly Receding

Flooding problems eased Thursday in central Washington as rivers and small streams crept back within their banks but authorities continued to keep a watchful eye on them.

The Yakima Valley’s worst flooding in 21 years tapered off Wednesday night as the Yakima River began to recede, said Bud Graves, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Yakima.

“It’s flattening out pretty much now,” Graves said.

Although there is a chance of rain in the region today, Graves said it was unlikely to add to the flooding problems.”We’re not looking for any major rains,” he said.

Charles Erwin, a planner for the Yakima Valley Emergency Management Services, said his agency was still on alert for any developing problems.

“We’re not willing to say we’re out of any immediate danger. But the real critical time has passed us now, I think,” Erwin said. “The situation is still volatile but not like yesterday. Any more heavy rainfall, any more rise in temperatures, could launch us into more protective actions.”

Flood warnings remained in effect Thursday for the Yakima River and the Klickitat River, the weather service said. Flood warnings ended for the Skokomish River in Mason County, the Snoqualmie River in King County and the Snohomish River in Snohomish County, the weather service said.

Washington 131 south of Randle in Lewis County remained closed Thursday between Skinner Road and Siler Road due to water over the roadway, a Department of Transportation spokeswoman said. But Washington 142 in Klickitat County, south of Klickitat, was reopened Thursday morning after being closed the previous night.