Flood Waters Recede in Washington, British Columbia

Major storms over the last few days have caused water levels to rise across much of the northwest coastline. While the rivers have begun to drop in Washington, British Columbia is now facing problems.

UPDATE 15:55 - Flood warning lifted for most of BC as water levels drop.

[q
url="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvzqb4M5WsNZksRT4Y9f8yMFEb-w"]Conditions
are slowly improving across British Columbia in the wake of a weekend
snowstorm followed by heavy rain.

The River Forecast Centre reports flood warnings have ended for all
rivers around B.C. except the Cowichan River, in the Duncan-area of
Vancouver Island.

Seventeen families remain out of their homes as that waterway spills over its banks.

Although levels on the Cowichan are also receding - dropping
1.5-metres in the past 24 hours - the River Forecast Centre says the
river remains above flood warning stage.[/q]

 

UPDATE 13:48 - from our contributor adriannadane

Residing at the borders of Thurston and Lewis Counties, near the
town of Centralia, we reside in an area not flooded.  But yesterday
morning I walked to the back field behind the house and realized how
close we had come as I discovered the entire area flooded in the
farmland beyond.  We were lucky.  More photos from the flooding can be
seen at my account at flickr.com.  Currently, I remain off the roads in
order to allow emergency crews to do their work and help people as
quickly as possible.

My husband has been working in Raymond, which is on the coast, near
Aberdeen.  I heard from him day before yesterday, but not yesterday. 
Apparently phones are out, including cell phones, in that area.  He
said power was out at that time and he was using a MacDonald's pay
phone on Monday evening to call home.  He said several trees were down
in the driveway were he was working and there was minor damage to the
house.

Fog has set in in this area, the atmosphere damp and wet.  When I
took the dog out this morning, the air seemed particularly still.

Currently, helicopters and small aircraft are flying overhead as I write this.

It was a shock yesterday morning to watch the news and see the
Chehalis Wal-Mart under water.  I had just been there Monday morning to
stock up on groceries.  The Home Depot that is now under water is where
my husband would shop for supplies for his work in sanding and
refinishing floors.  New businesses had just opened in that area in the
last month and are now under water.  Read my blog of yesterday at http://www.adriannadane.blogspot.com for more personal thoughts on this devastation.

Meanwhile flood warnings have been issued for a number of areas around BC's south coast, including Vancouver.

At least five people died in the flooding yesterday in Washington.

Check our previous NowPublic coverage here.