WA rivers hit record levels, highest in 10 years

Skagit River nearing record crest as Mount Vernon floodwall faces major test

Mount Vernon officials say the Skagit River is expected to crest at nearly 40 feet early Friday, pushing the city’s floodwall to its limits.

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. - An atmospheric river dumped heavy rain and caused major flooding across western Washington, with several rivers hitting record levels.

What we know:

The Snoqualmie River at the Falls hit its highest ever river level on Tuesday, Dec. 9, its highest level in the last 10 years.

It hit 17.88 feet, with its previous highest being 17.85 feet on Oct. 22, 2020.

Graph of Snoqualmie River level between Dec. 3 and Dec. 9 (via USGS)

The Snohomish River at Snohomish hit 34.1 feet on Thursday, surpassing its previous record of 33.5 feet in 1990.

The Cedar River hit record levels in Renton, hitting 18.22 feet, beating its old record by over a foot.

The Nooksack River at North Cedarville also reached a record-high 150.49 feet, barely eclipsing the old record of 149.6 feet.

Seattle weather: Flash flood potential through Friday

FOX 13 Seattle Meteorologist Claire Anderson is tracking the latest flood conditions across western Washington, including a Flash Flood Watch for the Skagit River.

Additionally, the Skagit River could reach its highest level on record Friday morning, forecast to hit 38.26 feet by 4 a.m. Its previous record was 37.4 feet.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for the Skagit River until Friday night, over a potential levee/dike failure. 

A Flash Flood Watch is posted until late Friday: there is a possibility of dike/levee failure. (FOX 13 Seattle)

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