A king tide created flooding in downtown Olympia and nearby coastal areas, including Heritage Park, shared the city in a press release.
The city urged people to be cautious as they commute and do business around the lake and near downtown.
Winter is here! Winds 15-20 mph to gusts up to 50 mph this afternoon. We may see trees and branches fall. If possible, limit travel and time in forested areas. This is a good time to make sure you are prepared for 7-10 days. Food, water, medicine and emergency supplies. https://t.co/lYBUYbL1aL
— Olympia Fire Dept. (@OlyFireDept) December 27, 2022
Coastal flooding road closures
In the news release it reads, “Crews have closed sections of 4th Avenue, Water Street, Columbia Street and State Avenue; and have sandbag materials for use by Downtown businesses available near the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, and near 625 Columbia Street SW. Streets are expected to reopen within a few hours.”
Updates can be expected at the twitter accounts of the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, Olympia Fire Department and the City of Olympia.
Further Alerts through Wednesday, December 28
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent weather alerts for flooding from rain, coastal flooding, and a high wind alert.
Coastal Flood Advisory – in effect from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday
A warning of coastal flooding from the NWS shows that there is further flooding expected. The impacts expected are flooding of parking lots, parks, and road closures. Precautions urged are to allow for extra time for navigating around road closures. “Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
High Wind Warning – in effect until Wednesday 1 a.m.
Winds increasing currently along the coast with gusts of 50-65MPH there now. Stronger gusts will continue to spread inland over the next few hours. Look for winds to pick up primarily after 6 PM in the Seattle metro area. #wawx pic.twitter.com/LeskS8tTvE
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 28, 2022
A high wind warning was given for high southwestern winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (mph), with gusts up to 60 mph, detailed the NWS in their website.
The impact of the wind is expected to be blown down trees and branches and blown down power lines which can cause power outages. These can also lead to the roads can being blocked.
Precautions and preparedness steps urged by the NWS include urging people to avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. “If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”
Flood watch – in effect until Wednesday morning
A flood watch was given due to heavy rains. The ground is already waterlogged by previous storms, and “The additional rain today could push some rivers to flood stage by this evening and into Wednesday morning.”
Areas that the flooding is expected to affect:
Portions of northwest and west central Washington, including the following counties, in northwest Washington, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston.
Disaster preparedness
Click here for a list of disaster preparedness resources for our community from the City of Olympia.
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FirstOtter
I was unfortunate enough to blunder into the waters in downtown Olympia. The city's road department was asleep at the wheel. There was no warning that the streets had flooded. Oh, maybe the City called the Olympian to report it, maybe they went on Facebook, I don't know. But when I drive I don't go online. I haven't bought the Daily Zero in years, because I know they get the news second hand from Tacoma's paper.
What I do know is I saw only two crews, cleaning out drains. near Plum. Why hadn't the drains been cleaned in, oh, September? I did not see a single sign that said "Water Over Roadway" Not a single one. Duh, Olympia. DUH.
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