205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 11/20/2015 - The Board of County Commissioners and Kittitas County Flood Control Zone District declared November to be Flood Awareness Month on November 17, 2015. On November 18, 2015 the county experiened its first flood of the season, and the largest flood since May 2011. Thankfully there was only minimal damage to private structures. This flood may not be the last of the season, and the county urges all county residents to continue to be prepared for more flooding this winter.
This year’s El Niño is predicted to be one of the strongest in history. El Niño is predicted to bring warmer than average winter temperatures and reduced precipitation to the Pacific Northwest. However, some of the county’s worst floods have come during El Niño years and it is important to be prepared for flooding no matter the long-range forecast. The county is urging residents to continue to be aware of potential flood and weather conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) releases weather alerts to provide you with advanced notification of potential flooding. Flood watches are released when flooding is possible, and you should remain alert and prepare for the potential need to evacuate. Flood warnings are released when a flood is reported or is imminent. During a warning you must act quickly to safely evacuate if you are in the danger area. These weather alerts are released through the internet, the media, and NOAA Weather Radio. There are many other ways to remain alert to potential flooding, such as observing the NWS river level forecasts. There are links to many helpful websites on the County’s Flood Warning System webpage at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/public-works/flood/warning.aspx. All county and city residents should take steps to protect their property from flood impacts, even if they don’t live within a regulated floodplain. Because of the county’s vast network of streams and ditches, flooding can unexpectedly occur almost anywhere. The following steps can be taken to prevent or reduce impacts from flooding.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Christina Wollman509-962-7523christina.wollman@co.kittitas.wa.us