Swollen Peninsula rivers back to normal; more — but less — rain forecast for today

Rain subsided into sprinkles Monday, allowing the inundated North Olympic Peninsula rivers of Sunday to return to normal by early Monday morning.

More rain is forecast by the National Weather Service for today, but not in the amounts experienced Sunday.

Scattered showers, mainly away from the West End, are predicted for the balance of the week. The West End will continue to get a greater share of the precipitation.

The Weather Service noted that many lowland North Olympic Peninsula soils are soaked above the U.S. Geological Survey landslide index, and that some embankments and slopse might remain unstable for the balance of the week.

Brief overflows

Sunday’s gush of rain caused the Bogachiel River, Elwha River and the Dungeness River to overflow, briefly causing emergency management managers worries about the safety of people and homes.

The Duckabush River near Brinnon also looked like it might crest its banks for a while, but ultimately did not.

State Highways 112 and 110 were shut down in both directions Sunday after water covered the roadways.

Both were reopened by Monday morning, said Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Peregrin, who is in charge of emergency management for Clallam County.

“Both are reopened — they are messy, but they are open,” he said.

Peregrin added drivers should take care on roads that were flooded because debris and silt can create obstacles and slick pavement.

Ward Road near the Dungeness River north of Sequim remained closed Monday night and likely will be closed for a while, Peregrin said.

“There is about 12 inches of silt on Ward Road, so it will take a while to get that removed and then for crews to check the foundation of the road,” Peregrin said.

Railroad Bridge Park at the Dungeness River northwest of Sequim is in a similar situation, he said.

Roads remain open

Hoko-Ozette Road near Neah Bay and Dan Kelly Road southwest of Port Angeles both had mudslides, but the damage wasn’t severe enough to close either, Peregrin said.

In Forks, Russell Road had a hole on the side and remains closed, Mayor Bryon Monohon said.

Peregrin said crews were still evaluating state Highway 112 for stability.

“Out there, you have to just wait and see how it settles because you can’t always tell right off if it has compromised the foundation of the road,” he said.

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall in the area for the storm that began Saturday night:

• Port Angeles: 1.95 inches, with a record for the date set Sunday of 1.18 inches in the 24-hour period starting at 12:01 a.m.

• Forks: 4.7 inches.

• Sequim: 1.77 inches.

• Port Townsend: 1.48 inches.

• Quilcene: 2.14 inches.

Away from the North Olympic Peninsula, flood warnings remained in effect Monday night on the Skykomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Chehalis, Skokomish, Satsop, Nooksack, Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers.

Most damage has been from landslides and minor flooding in valleys and in some residential and urban areas, but no deaths have been reported.

The Snohomish River northeast of Seattle was expected to cause major flooding of roads and farmlands in low-lying areas. The river was forecast to fall below flood stage this morning.

About 200 homes in an area of Kitsap County south of Bremerton were isolated when a large chunk of the only road into the remote rural area collapsed atop a culvert Sunday afternoon, the Kitsap Sun reported.

The rainfall Sunday set a record of 2.19 inches at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, breaking the record for the date set in 1966 — 1.7 inches, the National Weather Service reported.

Other records set Sunday were 1.8 inches at Olympia, 1.61 inches at Bellingham, 1.92 inches at Renton and 3.1 inches at Shelton.

________

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More in News

Clallam County Juvenile Court Coordinator Candice Lawler stands in the foyer of the old courthouse in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Juvenile services program shows youth ‘they are not alone’

Drug court coordinator shares personal experience with kids

Port Angeles identifies $3M for safety facility

City turns to tax sources, pushes road project

Port Angeles High School junior Tucker Swain, left, tries out a sample of roasted broccoli with ranch dressing dipping sauce prepared by Stacey Larsen, the district’s WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School consultant at the school’s cafeteria on Friday. Including locally grown produce like the Chi’s Farm broccoli into meals, increasing the amount of whole grains in foods and reducing salt and added sugar are part of the school district’s efforts to create healthier options and meet updated USDA nutrition standards. A new app provides students and parents a way to view menus and the nutritional content, calories and allergens in meal options. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
New flavors, new recipes for Port Angeles School District meal program

Goal is to promote healthy options for nutrition standards

Piping may help reduce flooding

Project aims to protect landowners, beavers

Jefferson County reduces its risk of fire danger

Collaboration moves level from high to moderate

One person was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a fifth-wheel trailer was fully engulfed in flames on Friday. (Chris Turner/Clallam County Fire District 3)
One person flown to hospital after fire destroys trailer

A person was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after a… Continue reading

Motorcycle rider airlifted to Seattle hospital after collision

A 63-year-old man was airlifted to a Seattle hospital… Continue reading

The city of Port Angeles’ city hall east parking lot low-impact development project is complete. (City of Port Angeles)
Low-impact development parking lot complete

Project to help filter stormwater contaminants

Peninsula College President Suzy Ames, left, receives the 2024 Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award from Gov. Jay Inslee at a Sept. 10 luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia. Ames was honored for her leadership and achievements in boosting the college’s declining enrollment and strengthening its ties to the community. (Jim Kopriva/Office of the Governor)
Peninsula College president receives outstanding leadership award

Peninsula College President Suzy Ames was one of 23… Continue reading

Applications open for Jefferson County Board of Health

The Board of Jefferson County Commissioners is accepting applications… Continue reading

Paulo Leite of Port Angeles sets up a display of automotive and Star Wars toys at Saturday’s Olympic Peninsula Toy and Collectibles Show at Guy Cole Convention Center in Sequim. The exhibition featured a wide variety of toys and collectible items for display, sale or trade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Toy show

Paulo Leite of Port Angeles sets up a display of automotive and… Continue reading

Tracey Appleton of Port Townsend cuts flowers at Wilderbee Farm on Saturday while on the 22nd annual Jefferson County Farm Tour. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Farm tour

Tracey Appleton of Port Townsend cuts flowers at Wilderbee Farm on Saturday… Continue reading