Yakima County is staring down a flood warning as the Naches River pushes past its banks and is expected to climb higher through the weekend. The alert, updated Thursday afternoon by the National Weather Service's Pendleton office, covers low-lying river corridors from Cliffdell downstream toward Yakima.
Where the river stands and what officials forecast
According to NWS Pendleton, the Naches River near Naches measured 18.1 feet at 2:45 PM PDT on Thursday, putting it above the bankfull level of 15.0 feet and over the 17.8-foot flood stage. Forecasters expect the river to crest around 19.1 feet late Saturday morning. At that level, officials say moderate flooding is likely from Cliffdell all the way down to Yakima. The flood warning is listed as remaining in effect until late Sunday evening, effectively through 11 p.m. Sunday.
What it means for the valley
Local coverage has echoed the federal alert, pointing out that the warning could impact farmland, greenways and secondary roads throughout the valley. As reported by The News Tribune, officials are urging residents to stay alert to any evacuation notices and road closure announcements as the river rises.
Safety steps and what to avoid
Per NWS Pendleton, drivers should never go around barricades or try to motor through floodwater, no matter how shallow it looks. The agency notes that about 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and around 12 inches can carry away a car. That makes low-water crossings, flooded side roads and riverbank walkways particularly hazardous while flows remain elevated.
Where to watch for updates
Residents are advised to keep an eye on flood statements from NWS Pendleton and to follow local emergency-management channels for any evacuation or shelter instructions. For travel impacts, WSDOT will post highway closures and detours. Aggregators such as The Weather Channel also list active river flood warnings for the Naches and Yakima areas, which can be a quick way to double-check conditions before heading out.
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