Thurston County is staring down a very wet weekend, with a flood warning in place through late Sunday morning as rivers in the Chehalis basin respond to another round of heavy rain. The Skookumchuck River near Bucoda is climbing toward flood stage and could push water over nearby roads, into some businesses and up against homes that sit close to the channel.
What the warning says
The National Weather Service in Seattle put out an updated flood warning Friday, reporting that minor flooding is already happening and that moderate flooding is forecast on the Skookumchuck River near Bucoda through late Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service Seattle. The agency noted that the river gauge near Bucoda measured about 211.7 feet Friday afternoon and is forecast to crest near 213.5 feet late Friday night. At those levels, water can begin to inundate some roads and nearby properties.
Where the risk is greatest
River-monitoring data show that the Bucoda gauge does not leave much margin for error. The Northwest River Forecast Center lists flood stage near 211.5 feet, moderate flooding around 213 feet and major flooding near 215 feet, meaning even relatively small additional rises can translate into damaging flows. Thurston County emergency management maintains a local river-monitoring page and directs residents to the official gauge for the most current stage readings and forecast information.
Safety tips
Officials are repeating a familiar message: do not drive into floodwater and do not ignore barricades; “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Moving water is deceptively strong. As little as 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and roughly 12 inches can sweep away a small car, according to the National Weather Service. Drivers are urged not to go around barricades, and people in low-lying spots are encouraged to move vehicles and valuables out of likely inundation zones and be ready to head for higher ground.
How to stay updated
Local reporting has already broken down Friday’s warning update and the key forecast details for communities across Thurston County, providing on-the-ground context as conditions evolve. For official forecasts and live gauge readings, residents should keep an eye on Thurston County’s river-monitoring page and the river station reports maintained by the Northwest River Forecast Center.
