Washington State Faces Flood Threat Again

Washington State is bracing for renewed flooding as storms continue to sweep across the region. While floodwaters from last week's record-breaking downpours are slowly retreating, forecasters warn that a second, more substantial storm system arriving Tuesday into Wednesday could push already swollen rivers beyond their banks once more.

This week's precipitation, while not expected to be as heavy as last week's, is falling on already saturated ground, intensifying the flood risk. Two river crests are anticipated, with the second, expected Wednesday into Thursday, likely to be the highest. Cooler temperatures will bring snow to the mountains, which will help slow river water flow, but strong winds pose a significant danger, increasing the likelihood of fallen trees and landslides on the already unstable, saturated slopes.

The current situation is a result of back-to-back storm systems. Seattle has already seen rainfall near its typical December total. Forecasters anticipate that a combination of dry periods and mountain snow accumulation will eventually allow rivers to recede, bringing a return to normalcy by the week's end.