Western Washington braces for another atmospheric river amid road closures, severe flooding

A blast of wet weather soaked Western Washington on Tuesday, causing severe flooding and closed roads in parts of King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.

The threat of continued flooding will stretch through the end of the week as a second atmospheric river hits the region on Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the water levels at Snoqualmie Falls reached 17.8 feet on Tuesday morning. That's the highest crest since 2015.

The nearby city of Carnation sits at the junction of the Snoqualmie River, and another river the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for — the Tolt River.

Since moving to Carnation in 2020, city manager Rhonda Ender has gotten used to heavy rains and wind, like those generated by a bomb cyclone in November 2024 that impacted Western Washington.

The atmospheric rivers Ender has grown accustomed to aren't new. While they're a part of the Pacific Northwest's climatology, they are expected to occur more frequently, and grow stronger as Earth's climate continues to warm.

During atmospheric rivers, Ender said Carnation can become a kind of "island." There may not be flooding within the city, but the area surrounding Carnation will be flooded.

On Tuesday, parts of Highway 203 between Fall City and Carnation closed for several hours due to water on the roadway. The section re-opened a few hours later.

Ahead of a second round of heavy rains, Ender is encouraging community members to stay on top of road closures due to flooding.

Her advice is straightforward: If you see water, turn around.

"Please be safe," Ender said. "Better to stay home for a couple of days than to go on a dangerous roadway. And situations can change very rapidly."

For those who do have to hit the road, the Washington State Department of Transportation encourages drivers to slow down, leave extra room between cars, and keep an eye out for pooling water.

Ender has also been advising her neighbors to stock up on groceries and stay vigilant around their homes.

"If there's a simple storm drain in front of your house that you see clogged with leaves, rake those out and put them in your yard waste," Ender said.

Being proactive can make a difference in a storm water emergency, especially in a city like Carnation, where the public works crew is comprised of just four people.