Rains raise flood watch in parts of Washington

SEATTLE — The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for portions of Washington because of heavy rains expected today and Wednesday. Forecasters expect 2 to 5 inches of rain in the Western Washington mountains and 1 to 2 inches in the lowlands. A flood watch for minor flooding has been issued for the Skokomish, Nooksack, Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers in Mason, Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Rainfall of 2 inches or more is expected on the east side of the Cascades and a watch for stream flooding is in effect for portions of Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties. Forecasters say the rain could cause mudslides and debris flows in the areas burned by summer wildfires. Rains may ease by Wednesday night but forecasters expect a chance of rain for Halloween.