Date:  Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Contact: Northwest Region - Seattle area: (206) 440-4788
Olympic Region - Tacoma/Olympia/coastal areas: (360) 357-2789
Southwest Washington: (360) 507-4242

OLYMPIA – The rains my be moving out, but WSDOT is still watching river levels and landslide prone areas overnight.

Drivers should slow down, drive for conditions and heed warnings posted on road signs and Highway Advisory Radio.

Drivers can check their route before they go at www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/Update. WSDOT will update this Web site as conditions change. Updated travel information is also available by calling 5-1-1.

As of this hour, WSDOT has closures and traffic restricted at the following locations:

Puget Sound:

SR 169 at Green River Bridge - WSDOT engineers and WSP closed the SR 169 Kummer Bridge over the Green River near Black Diamond at 3:19 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 12) after geotechnical experts detected small movements in the soil holding up the bridge. Bridge and soil experts have been dispatched to the area to assess the situation. They might not be able to make an accurate assessment until the morning.

East of Enumclaw, SR 410 is closed at the Greenwater River due to a land slide. WSDOT crews are working to clear the road.

On SR 202 east of Fall City, the roadway is closed from Fish Hatchery Road to SR 203 due to 1-foot of water in places.

SR 123, near Mt. Rainier National Park, he road is also closed due to water over the roadway.

South Puget Sound:

There are still strong winds on SR 16, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

In Pierce County, SR 162 near Orting is restricted to local traffic only due to water over the roadway as is SR 165 at Fettig Road in the Burnett vicinity due to water over roadway.

WSDOT has crews watching the Puyallup River. It is expected to crest and flood SR 410 at Traffic Ave. When the river crests, WSDOT will close both directions of SR 410 where it intersects with SR 167. If needed, WSDOT will close westbound SR 410 at Valley Ave. The Puyallup River is expected to crest between 5 and 7 p.m.

Heavy rains in the Grays Harbor/Aberdeen area have caused water over several roadways. Water is being reported over the following roadways:

US 101 near Salmon Creek in the Artic vicinity has water over roadway. Also near Artic, southbound US 101 near North River Road has water on the roadway.

SR 108 at the Grays Harbor County Line and at Maxwell Hill has water has water on the roadway, WSDOT crews are on scene. There is also water being reported about a foot away from the roadway on SR 8 at Kennedy Creek Road (milepost 15). WSDOT crews are in the area monitoring the water level.

In Clallam County there is water over the following roadways:
SR 112 at Falls Creek Bridge in the Clallam Bay vicinity (milepost 15.1)
SR 112 at Green Creek in the Clallam Bay vicinity (milepost 24)

Southwest Washington:
SR 131 in eastern Lewis County is closed due to high water. Drivers should follow the signs for a local detour.

US 101 in Pacific County is reduced to a single lane in each direction at milepost 58.57 (intersection of Heath Street and US 101 in Raymond) due to high water.

SR 508 in Lewis County is restricted near Cinebar due to high water. Please follow signs. Also in Lewis County, on US 12 in Lewis County between Randle and Packwood, the Cowlitz River continues to rise. It is expected to crest between 10 p.m. tonight and 4 a.m. Thursday morning.

WSDOT is keeping a close watch of SR 4 in Wahkiakum County at milepost 13.5 vicinity (Seal River) and near the community of Grays River. Crews expect water over the roadway overnight. Detour info: Drivers on the west side of the closure wishing to travel east must use SR 4 West to SR 401 South. Travel south on SR 401 and take the US 101, Astoria-Megler Bridge to Oregon's US 30. Drivers on the east side of the closure wishing to travel west must use SR 4 East to SR 432. Travel southeast on SR 432 and take the SR 433, Lewis & Clark Bridge to Oregon's US 30. A third option for drivers is to use the Puget Island Ferry traveling between Cathlamet, WA and Westport, OR and take Oregon's US 30 east or west to reach their destinations.


The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at Camp Murray. More flooding and preparedness information can be found on their website at: www.piersystem.com/go/site/1105/ The State Enhanced 911 Office in cooperation with local telephone carriers reminds all citizens in the affected area to stay off the telephone unless you have a critical need to make a telephone call. DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless you need an emergency response from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. Remember a FAX or a computer also uses a telephone line and its use may affect your ability to get immediate help in a life-threatening emergency.

The State EOC also advises residents in flood prone or flood watch areas should consider the following preparedness actions:
•Listen to radio or television stations for local information and weather reports.
•Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas known to flood suddenly.
•Do not walk or drive through floodwaters.
•Secure your home. If time permits, also secure items located outside the house.
•If instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves.
•Fill your car with fuel.
•Fill the bathtub with water in case the water supply becomes contaminated or services are cut off. Sterilize the bathtub first.

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