Weather takes state by storm

By MARGO HORNER, The Mirror

After a brief snow, days of pouring rain and wind, Federal Way folks might enjoy a couple of days of calm today and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The chance of rain was less than 50 percent for Dec. 5 and 6. A flood warning, issued Monday by the National Weather Service for most of Western Washington, was to be lifted Wednesday afternoon.

Record amounts of rain and flooding occurred early this week, said Johnny Burg, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle.

“I would say most areas are setting record rains,” Burg said.

Gov. Christine Gregoire issued a state of emergency due to heavy storms throughout Western Washington, especially in coastal communities. There have been at least two deaths as a result of the storms.

No injuries or serious flooding had been reported in Federal Way on Monday afternoon, said Paul Bucich, surface water manager for the city.

“Pretty quiet, we like that,” Bucich said.

Some areas that typically flood in Federal Way are South 308th Street between 11th Avenue South and 14th Avenue South, South 373rd Street at Hylebos Creek and Fisher’s Pond at Southwest 320th Street.

On South 373rd Street, there was no flooding over the roadway on Monday. This summer, state crews modified the bridge over Hylebos Creek to reduce potential flooding.

Russell Cotton-Betteridge, a City of Federal Way engineering technician, measured the distance from the water to the roadway on Monday morning. Flooding didn’t appear likely.

“This time of the year last year, water would have been up all over this road,” Cotton-Betteridge said.

Forecasts show a chance of rain throughout the weekend. Temperatures should remain above freezing and snow is unlikely, according to the National Weather Service.

Contact Margo Horner: mhorner@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.

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