http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/ Lake Quinault, WA News http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/698efa7518ed52523bdd0864b098886c.html Heavy rains and unseasonably warm temperatures continued in Western Washington overnight and are to continue through today melting mountain snow and causing the region's rivers to flood http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/02c3bcee490329580877b6b6fb0f1962.html The familiar sounds of bells are ringing through the crisp cold air outside shopping centers in the Gig Harbor area That means its the time of year when Salvation Army volunteers raise money for the needy with red donation kettles http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/ed031f0c96dc5d48131963c892fa8eba.html A KidsCorner told of the adventures of a group of youngsters affiliated with Harbor Wildwatch at Penrose Point State Park this summer This impressive group of inspired kids learned how to respect and protect marine life and the waters in which it flourishes http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/8094c30546ce9512c4d08caf29c6313a.html With rivers rising and some roads likely to be closed as a winter storm lashes Western Washington authorities are adding another potential danger to the list facing the region this week: an increased chance of landslides http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/0f0cf6853f0258ad8f0c96ff6fd68f8b.html Heavy rainfall is expected to soak the region through at least Thursday night Add melting snowfall and there8217;s a heavy flood danger throughout Western Washington8220;It8217;s going to rain a lot8221; Johnny Burg a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle said TuesdayThe service issued a flood watch and a wind advisory for the South Sound which will last through Thursday About 3 inches of rain were expected in the lowland areas in Pierce County with winds of 25 to 30 mph gusting to 50 Damage began Tuesday afternoon with downed power lines and trees across area roadsBut more serious damage is expected in the mountainsSome areas on the Pacific slope of the Olympic Mountains could get up to 20 inches of rain The slopes in saturated areas are at a high risk for mudslides and the runoff will surge and possibly cause flooding in lowland areas around riversWith more than a foot of rain in the forecast Olympic National Park officials closed access to the Hoh and Queets river valleys Tuesday afternoon as a safety precaution said chief ranger Kevin Hendricks In addition park staffers doing spotted owl surveys were called out of the backcountry because of avalanche dangerThe forecast Tuesday afternoon called for rainfall totals by tonight of 6 to 10 inches on the coast and up to 20 inches on the westfacing slopes of the OlympicsThe closures are necessary 8220;so we can remove the public from areas that might be blocked by rising rivers and fallen trees8221; Hendricks saidThe US Geological Survey gauge on the Hoh River at US 101 showed stream flows steadily rising Tuesday afternoon reaching 4230 cubic feet per second at 3:15 pm Flows were as low as 1670 cfs Sunday afternoonJohn Preston a ranger based at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center said the storm is a dual threat Not only is a lot of rain forecast but also the accompanying warm temperatures will melt much of the snow that8217;s fallen in the last month8220;They8217;re calling for 12 inches of rain8221; Preston said 8220;That would be a major flood event if that happens So far they8217;ve been spot on8221;A foot of rain would be comparable to the December 2007 storm that caused flooding in Chehalis and shut down Interstate 58220;It8217;s going to be wild and woolly in the Hoh the next few days8221; Preston saidMount Rainier National Park was expected to see much less rain but officials were still watching the rainfall gauge and area streams and looking for any trees fallen over roadwaysPierce County officials were preparing for flooding on the Puyallup Nisqually and Carbon rivers and anyone who lives in those areas should be prepared said Sheri Badger spokeswoman for Pierce County Emergency Management8220;Keep your ears and eyes peeled for what the rivers are going to do8221; she said 8220;Prepare for flooding Make sure you have an alternative place to go8221;The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center was to open today at 8 am and officials have placed a sandbagging machine in Orting Sandbags are available to the public at local fire stationsThe main concern for county officials are the Puyallup and Carbon rivers because of the population along the basins There are shelters available and officials are prepared to notify residents when they need to evacuate Badger saidThe King County Flood Warning Center opened Tuesday afternoon to keep an eye on the storm In Thurston County emergency manager Kathy Estes wants those who live in river basins to be prepared for evacuation8220;We don8217;t know how serious the flooding might become but the projections show possible significant flooding along the Chehalis Deschutes and Skookumchuk Rivers8221; Estes said in a statement 8220;That means area residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice8221;Although heavy rains are typical this time of year the strength of this storm front stands out8220;This is not exactly your typical thing to have happen this time of year8221; Burg said 8220;There8217;s just not going to be very good weather for the next couple of days8221;Brian Everstine: 2535978374Jeffrey P Mayor: 2535978640 http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/45f96e904a42923e2e2eb83aa9ac4301.html h6 stylecolor:redbTumwaterbh6 http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/bcce6080cd336e4c2779c513a97be345.html Next up: Floods Heavy rain expected to raise rivers across Western Washington to flood stage by Thursday http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/washington/lake-quinault/content/5b5c6b2be6cf941cf3ceafa37dd10981.html US 2 is blocked in both directions three miles west of the summit because of an avalanche