HAMILTON, Wash. — Two strong storm systems are threatening to bring major flooding to Skagit County.
The Skagit River is rising and is expected to crest Saturday morning in Mount Vernon about four feet above flood level before receding that night.
But that is just the first of two systems on the way, and the second is expected to be even worse.
In the tiny town of Hamilton on Friday, city work crews piled up 2,000-pound sandbags -- more than 2 dozen of them -- across roads that wind along the Skagit River.
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Si Adams was one of those workers protecting not just his community, but himself. He lives just down the road.
"Just get it done and do your best on it," he said. "Get it sealed up."
Floodwaters from the Skagit River started creeping over its banks Friday afternoon.
Floods are a regular occurrence in Hamilton during the winter, but some are far worse than others.
Si recalled the historic flood of 2003.
"It crested, I believe, at around 42 feet, or something like that. I had about 6 feet of water in my place."
These floods aren't expected to be nearly as bad, but they could cause considerable problems.
County officials have activated their emergency operations center and observers will be monitoring the river around the clock throughout the weekend.
"We're just taking it one hour at a time," said county spokeswoman Laura Han.
The National Weather Service reports a second system is coming Monday and Tuesday.
It will send river levels even higher and could create major flooding, forcing evacuations for some of the 300 or so people of Hamilton.
"I would characterize it as we're not panicked yet, but it is something we're monitoring closely," said Han.
The county established a river level hotline: 360-416-1405.
To find sandbags or shelter, people can call the county's Department of Emergency Management at 360-416-1850.
This was happening Friday as the rising Skagit eroded a dike near downtown Mount Vernon. Crews with the Army Corps of Engineers continued shoring it up and officials said, at this point, they don't expect it to be a problem.
Emergency officials urged people not to drive through flooded roads, reminding drivers that is the way most people die during floods.
Han warned everyone to be prepared for the worst.
"That can look like knowing where to go during an emergency, having that conversation with your family. Having a go-bag ready, knowing where your closest sandbag area is and being prepared to protect your property in that manner."
Back in Hamilton, sand and bags were piled up for the taking at the town's fire station, as townspeople prepared for yet another flood season.
"People help each other getting things out, getting rigs out," said Adams. "We're taking care of each other. That's the way it should be."