SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Many of us associate flooding in the Northwest during November, December and then again in the spring.
But is it too early for this kind of flooding? The National Weather Service's Seattle office says not necessarily.
Overnight heavy rainfall caused major flooding in several western Washington areas, particularly near the Snoqualmie River.
At 41,000 cubic feet per second, the Snoqualmie River caused major flooding from the town of Snoqualmie downstream through Fall City.
The City of Snoqualmie got twice as much water as officials were expecting.
The Snoqualmie River is expected to crest at 56.3 feet. The flood stage for the river is 54 feet.
A flood crest is the highest level a river reaches before it goes back down.
While 56.3 feet seems high, it's not necessarily the highest the Snoqualmie River has seen in the month of October.
It's also not unusual to see major flooding events as early as September. For instance, there has been flooding at Snoqualmie River near the Falls on Sept. 30 in 2000 and 2005.
Here's a look at the history:
Snoqualmie River near Carnation (minor flood stage at 54')
58.6' on Oct. 22, 2019
56.97' on Oct. 17, 1988
56.85' on Oct. 21, 2003
54.78' on Oct. 19, 1947
54.64 on Oct. 25, 1985
54.58' on Oct. 22, 2017
Snoqualmie River near the Falls (minor flood stage at 20,000 CFS)
40,400 cubic feet per second (CFS) on Oct. 16, 1988
36,000 CFS on Oct. 31, 2015
33,880 CFS on Oct. 22, 2017
29,200 CFS on Oct. 21, 2003
23,600 CFS on Oct. 30, 1997
20,250 CFS on Oct. 22, 2019
Snohomish River at Snohomish (minor flood stage at 25 feet)
28.53' on Oct. 21, 2003
27.5' on Oct. 22, 2019
27.25' on Oct. 16, 1988
27.10' on Oct. 19, 1947
27.07' on Oct. 26, 1955
26.70' on Oct. 25, 1946
Skokomish River combined forks
8,080 CFS on Oct. 30, 2012
7,520 CFS on Oct. 31, 2012
4,770 CFS on Oct. 10, 2010
Skokomish River near Potlatch (minor flood stage at 16.5')
17.70' on Oct. 15, 2016
17.59' on Oct. 20, 2003
17.52' on Oct. 31, 2015
17.45' on Oct. 14, 2016
17.43' on Oct. 20, 2016
Tolt River near Carnation
12,300 CFS on Oct. 31, 1942
11,100 CFS on Oct. 20, 2003
8,450 CFS on Oct. 25, 1946
7,720 CFS on Oct. 19, 1947
7,420 CFS on Oct. 25, 1955
