I have no idea how long I will still be posted. I am surprised my power hasn't gone out yet.
SEATTLE - Heavy rain throughout the Northwest continue this morning, causing slick roads and plenty of problems for morning commuters.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed nearly four hours after a semi-truck crashed into roadside barriers near the convention center about 3 a.m. Friday and spilled some fuel.
State Patrol Trooper Cliff Pratt says about 50-60 gallons of diesel spilled, making the pavement slippery and causing other accidents. Crews shut all lanes of southbound I-5 after the James Street Exit for several hours. Two left lanes re-opened around 6:30 a.m., and cleanup is expected to last through the morning. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and take alternate routes.
Emergency crews had to cut the driver out of one of the trucks because the cab was too twisted for him to get out on his own. He suffered minor injuries.
Flood warnings for rivers, urban flooding closures
Flood warnings are in effect for the Skokomish, Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. The Tolt River was put under a Phase IV flood alert level around 8:00 a.m. and widespread flooding is anticipated in the Tolt watershed. Snoqualmie River is in a Phase III flood alert level as King County continues watch on rain-filled rivers
The Skokomish and Snoqualmie rivers are expected to be within their banks by Saturday morning and the Tolt River by Friday night. Flood watches are in effect for other rivers around Puget Sound.
Commuters in Seattle and other urban areas will want to head out earlier than normal this morning. Leaves clogged drains and the relentless rain have turned many streets into small ponds, making driving difficult.
Urban flooding has also closed three streets in Kent: James and Central Avenue, 76th Ave. S between S 212th and S 228th, and 72nd Ave. S between S 212th and S 218th.
Most drivers tried to avoid standing water on the roads, but some unlucky few found themselves stranded and on the side of the road.
In Seattle, public utility crews decked out in weather gear moved from street to street to try and prevent urban flooding by cleaning streets and unclogging drains.
""It always seems like it's the first couple of storms that hurt the most," said one crew member. "You just don't know what's going to happen."
So expect a lot of standing water on the roads this morning. Officials warn motorists not to drive through a closed, flooded street and advise to take it slow.
Forecasters predict a second day of heavy rain in parts of Western Washington, mostly in the central and south sound.
"Things are still wet out there, but not as wet," said KING 5 Meteorologist Rich Marriott. "In the south sound, we'll see the rain let up - not go away, it just won't be as heavy. We'll see the rain pick up in intensity as we head into the afternoon."
Snow is also expected for the cascades and parts of Eastern Washington.
Carol Coleman lives along McAleer Creek in Lake Forest Park and is among those paying attention to the rainfall.
"Last year we did have a problem, so maybe we should get some sandbags,†said Coleman.
The City of Lake Forest Park has already put together sandbag depots for the storm ahead.
Sand is also on the ready near Seattle’s Thornton Creek, which has been a trouble point in years past.
Cities across the region spent the day checking and clearing clogged drains.
The rain and leaf-slickened conditions already helped cause one accident on West Lake Sammamish Parkway in Bellevue, causing a car to fly off the road and left it hanging in a tree.
"From the looks of the marks it looks like he slipped off the side of the roadway and veered off,†said Lt John McCracken, Bellevue Police.
Many people are taking measures on their own to hold back the flood waters. On the mouth of the Nooksack River in Mount Vernon, Jere Boyd is building a three foot insurance policy with sandbags. Though the river is expected to crest below flood stage, Boyd is leaving nothing to chance.
"We've had water a foot and a half up the sandbags,†said Boyd.
Just a few miles away, Dan Parmer dropped cloth mesh into storm drains to prevent them from clogging and flooding streets.
"They're expecting like 6 inches of rain or something, so we're just going around taking care of the puddles,†said Parmer.
Winds were immediately blamed for downing a tree branch that knocked out power to about 1,300 customers near Olympia Airport Thursday afternoon.
If you plan to drive over mountain passes, be prepared for snow sleet or freezing rain. Get snow route information for driving and transit in advance of roads being closed.
At the Washington state Emergency Operations Center, experts are tracking the approaching storm.
In anticipation of several days of heavy rain, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has activated its Urban Flood Response Plan. They are staging extra drainage crews throughout the city, deploying storm observers to at-risk areas and doubling staff at its Operations Response Center.
Seattle Public Utilities is also urging residents to familiarize themselves with emergency resources and procedures, including how to prevent and respond to floods and landslides, and bad weather driving.
Live Doppler:
http://www.king5.com/weather/doppler/indexrad.html?http://www.king5.com/live/weather_images/K5-340mileAnim-640x480.gif&Title=340%20Mile%20Range
