Flood Watch Begins As More Rain Comes To Western Washington

SEATTLE — It seems like Western Washington can't catch a break weather-wise. After a windy, rainy start to the week, a new storm system is moving in that threatens to raise rivers and saturate soils across Puget Sound.

Here's what you need to know:

A flood watch has been issued for King, Snohomish, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Skagit, Jefferson and Whatcom counties

The flood watch begins at noon Thursday and expires late Thursday night. During that time, residents of those counties can expect heavy rains which will drive most rivers to near flood stages in the north and central Cascades, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Some rivers may hit minor or moderate flood stages. In particular, the National Weather Service says it is watching the Nooksack, Skagit, Stillaguamish, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers, which are the most likely to flood. Though they are less likely to flood, meteorologists are also watching the Tolt and Elwha River Basins.

The severity of flooding will be heavily dependent on the amount of localized rainfall each area receives. As a result, residents living along those rivers are being warned to keep up with the local forecast, and be prepared to take action if the rivers overflow their bounds.

The threat of flooding is less severe outside the watch zone, but residents should be aware of other weather concerns

In Pierce County, the threat of flooding is significantly less, and while officials are keeping an eye on common flooding culprits like the White and Puyallup rivers, they say they are not likely to be a problem.

However, all of Western Washington is warned to prepare for the possibility of urban flooding as water pools on city streets. The National Weather Service is reminding drivers not to drive around barricades or through flooded areas.

Residents in areas prone to landslides will also want to watch out, as the heavy rainfall will saturate and loosen the hillsides, priming the region for dangerous slides.

Finally, as if that wasn't enough: forecasters also predict gusty winds, which could cause scattered power outages like we saw earlier this week. That means now is a good time to secure anything that may blow away in the wind— or to get the candles ready in case the lights go out.

Relief is coming this weekend

While the flood watch expires late Thursday, rain is expected to keep pouring down on Puget Sound through Friday evening. But come Saturday, forecasters say a drier system will move in, allowing rivers to recede.

Until then, keep on your toes.