Today we received the following email from Deborah Needham, our Emergency Preparedness Manager. While a “Pineapple Express” is predicted to hit this weekend, experts are currently not predicting flooding of the Cedar River or the lower Green River near Renton. However, the mid-section of the Green may experience minor flooding in rural areas. (Note that any torrential downpour can cause local flooding on streets if storm drains get plugged or overwhelmed, so small pockets of local flooding are always a risk during a “Pineapple Express.”)

___________________________________

Subject: Pineapple Express according to the National Weather Service (2 pm briefing)
Importance: High

You may have heard the media describe the incoming weekend storm as a pineapple express. This is indeed the wettest storm system the National Weather Service has seen in two years. However, for those who have been anxiously watching the Green River due to the problems with the Howard Hanson dam, this is NOT our big one.

Here’s what to expect from the heavy rainfall that will begin Saturday:

Cedar River: NO flooding.

Green River: NO flooding in the “Lower Green” (where we are); minor flooding in the “Middle Green” (the rural areas)

Urban and small streams: Localized flooding possible due to heavy and rapid precipitation beginning Saturday.

Landslides: Steep slopes with saturated soils are more at risk of landslides with this storm event.

The EOC Duty Officer will continue to monitor conditions through the weekend. EOC activation is not anticipated, but to reach the EOC Duty Officer if field conditions suddenly require activation, call 425-766-2720 (24/7 number). If the call rolls to voicemail, please leave a message and we will return the call immediately. For email contact, please email eoc@rentonwa.gov. The EOC email is always forwarded to all three EOC Duty Officers in the rotation.

If conditions change there will be another update. Otherwise, silence is golden. Here’s hoping for a quiet weekend.

deb