'As the water recedes,' Snohomish County grapples with record flood [View all]

EVERETT — Snohomish County issued an emergency proclamation for the record flooding on the Stillaguamish River and elsewhere around the county.

The proclamation opens up “public funds to take reasonable and prudent measures ensuring the safety of residents and waives some administrative requirements in order to expedite response efforts,” according to a press release Thursday.

County Executive Dave Somers signed the declaration as communities at the mouth of the Stillaguamish remained flooded by a major storm.

Upriver, towns along Highway 530 and the Mountain Loop Highway saw 6 inches of rain. After reaching a record high water level around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday in Arlington, over 2 feet above a major flood stage, the river began receding.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-issues-emergency-proclamation-following-record-flood/

Why are Snohomish County rivers susceptible to flooding?

EVERETT — Washington is one of the most flood-prone states.

The U.S. Geological Survey has been monitoring streamflow on the north fork of the Stillaguamish River since 1928. And despite preparation investments and restoration efforts, floods continue to plague Western Washington.

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Quite simply, Western Washington’s location next to the Pacific Ocean and two mountain ranges, said National Weather Service hydrologist Brent Bower.

“When we get storms that come off of Canada, they’re much drier because they’re coming in over land,” said Bower. “The air going over the mountains really increases rainfall rates.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/why-are-snohomish-county-rivers-susceptible-to-flooding/