Flash Flood Threat for Northwest Washington as Thunderstorms Move In
August 17, 2024 | 7:47 PM PDT
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle issued a Flood Advisory for portions of northwest and west-central Washington, including areas in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties. The advisory, issued at 7:47 PM PDT, remains in effect until 10:45 PM PDT this evening as a band of thunderstorms continues to sweep across the region.
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms
The NWS reports that thunderstorms are moving rapidly through the area, bringing with them brief but intense rainfall and frequent lightning. Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated rainfall between 0.1 and 0.5 inches had already fallen by 7:41 PM, with an additional 0.5 to 0.8 inches expected before the storms pass. The heavy rainfall is expected to cause minor flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Areas at Risk
The advisory covers a broad area across northwest and west-central Washington, affecting several major cities, including: