Oregon Public Broadcasting

Flood warnings are in effect Thursday for 14 counties in Western Washington and seven in Eastern Washington.

National Weather service meteorologist Dustin Guy says that warning covers about 40 rivers. And some are approaching record flood levels.

Dustin Guy: “Well we’ve got probably 6 to 10 rivers that are actually considered at major flood stage. In other words they’re just shy of records.  So far the only river that’s actually broken records in terms of flooding in the Snoqualmie, near Carnation. Some of the rivers will crest as early as mid-day today or sometime this afternoon. Some of the other rivers take a little bit longer to respond. Rivers like the Chehalis may take a day or two before they actually start to recede.”

Guy says the trouble spots are in several counties, including Snohomish, Pierce and Lewis County.  

The forecast calls for scattered showers Thursday, then the rain should end by Friday. Guy expects most rivers to crest and recede below flood stage by Saturday.

The freezing level will drop to 3,000 feet Thursday, so precipitation will turn to snow in the mountains.