Rivers in Washington
Chehalis River at Centralia
Below flood stage
151.86ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 11:00 PM PDT
- Flood stage
- 168.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 151.81 ftSat, Sep 19, 5:00 PM PDT
- Record crest
- 178.10 ft2007
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 175.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 172.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 168.50 ft |
| Action | 166.00 ft |
- 176.70 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause severe near record flooding...with deep and swift flood waters inundating farms...residential and business areas...and roads on both sides of I-5...including I-5 and SR 6. Much of Chehalise and Centralia will be flooded. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Chehalis River Basin. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 4 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
- 175.50 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause major flooding...inundating residential and commercial areas...farms...and many roads on both sides of I-5...including I-5 and SR 6. Flood waters will be deep and swift in some areas. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Chehalis River Basin. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 3 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
- 173.50 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause moderate flooding including Fort Borst Park...residential and commercial areas...farms...and many roads from Chehalis to Centralia. Flood waters begin to inundate SR 6...I-5 ramps at SR 6...Main St Chehalis...and around Plummers and Hayes Lakes. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 2 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
- 172.00 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause moderate flooding including Fort Borst Park...farms...and some residential and commercial areas...with water encroaching upon the first floor of some homes and businesses. Flooded roads include SR 6...Florida Ave...Donahue Rd...Airport Rd...Military Rd...and Nick Rd. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 2 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
- 170.50 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will flood Riverside Golf Course...farms...and some residential areas around Florida Ave...Donahue Rd...Airport Rd...and Military Rd. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 1 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
- 168.50 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause shallow flooding of farm lands and some roads. Roads include Airport Rd, Florida Ave in Chehalis and Military Rd in Centralia. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 1 flood in the Lewis County flood warning system.
- 166.50 ftthe Chehalis River in Lewis County will spill over its banks into nearby pasture lands around Chehalis and Centralia.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 20, 2026.
Crest history
51 crests on NOAA’s list since 1950.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 4, 2007 | 178.10 ft |
| 2 | January 7, 2022 | 174.93 ft |
| 3 | December 11, 2025 | 168.59 ft |
| 4 | December 4, 2007 | 74.78 ft |
| 5 | February 9, 1996 | 74.31 ft |
| 6 | January 10, 1990 | 73.50 ft |
| 7 | January 8, 2009 | 72.40 ft |
| 8 | November 25, 1986 | 71.99 ft |
| 9 | January 21, 1972 | 71.65 ft |
| 10 | November 25, 1990 | 71.30 ft |
| 11 | December 5, 1975 | 71.17 ft |
| 12 | January 26, 1971 | 70.20 ft |
| 13 | December 30, 1996 | 70.18 ft |
| 14 | February 11, 1990 | 69.91 ft |
| 15 | November 27, 1998 | 69.73 ft |
| 16 | February 25, 1999 | 69.60 ft |
| 17 | February 10, 1951 | 69.20 ft |
| 18 | January 16, 1974 | 69.10 ft |
| 19 | January 1, 1997 | 68.80 ft |
| 20 | December 17, 2001 | 68.77 ft |
| 21 | December 3, 1977 | 68.70 ft |
| 22 | January 6, 1954 | 68.62 ft |
| 23 | December 22, 1955 | 68.58 ft |
| 24 | November 30, 1995 | 68.50 ft |
| 25 | January 30, 2006 | 68.43 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 11, 2025: 168.59 ft
- January 7, 2022: 174.93 ft
- February 10, 2017: 65.07 ft
- December 10, 2015: 67.86 ft
- January 6, 2015: 62.25 ft
- February 18, 2014: 62.46 ft
- January 8, 2009: 72.40 ft
- December 4, 2007: 178.10 ft
- December 4, 2007: 74.78 ft
- November 8, 2006: 67.34 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.