Flood in Washington, February 7, 1996

Some of the worst flooding in over 60 years took place in Washington from the 7th to the 10th. Damage statewide was estimated at 223 million. In the state the flooding destroyed 100 houses, 400 mobile homes, 7 apt buildings. There was major damage to 795 houses, 507 mobile homes and 115 apartment buildings. Minor damage affected nearly 2000 more residences. Record flooding occurred on several rivers. The Chehalis crested at 74.4 ft nearly 10 ft over flood stage. The Yakima was at 20.8 ft, second all time highest. Cowlitz crested at 32.1 ft, which is about 9 ft above flood stage. The Klickitat was around 18 ft with the old record being almost 17 ft. A state of emergency was declared in 13 counties. Flooding also occurred on the Nisqually, Skookumchuck, Stillaguamish, Skagit, Lewis, Snoqualmie, and Skykomish. In Klickitat County 2000 residents were stranded as all rivers, streams, creeks and ditches were flooded. It was the second largest flood there since 1908. On the east slopes of the cascades all schools were closed on Feb 9th as scores of bridges and 100s of roads were wiped out. I-90 and US 2, both major highways over the Cascades, were closed. It was the second longest closure of Snoqualmie Pass. I-5 was closed at Chehalis as there was 6 to 8 feet over water over the highway. The first 8 days of February had 5 times the normal rainfall. Some 24 hr rainfall amounts: Kent 4.4", Centralia 3.34", Seatac 3.06", Duvall 2.90", Olympia 2.75". Overall it was the wettest winter season ever. The normal precip for Nov-Feb is 21.11 inches the previous record was 30.68" and this year seatac recieved 32.46 inches.