BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – Benton County Emergency Management is urging residents near the Yakima River to prepare for potential flooding.
While there are currently no mandatory evacuations, officials are closely monitoring the river’s conditions. Residents are advised to be ready in case conditions get worse.
People living near waterways should take precautionary measures. They are encouraged to secure outdoor items, move vehicles and valuables to higher ground and pack an emergency go-bag with medications, important documents and basic supplies.
Deanna Davis with Benton County Emergency Management emphasized the need for preparation, as conditions can change quickly.
“So we’re anticipating a crest of about 13.61, which is just into official minor flood stage. For that to be around Saturday at 4 a.m. Typically, when the gauge is forecasted for flooding, we start looking at those gauge levels,” Davis said. “It looks like Friday into Friday night is when we’ll start to see it hit that minor flood stage with that crest, being very early Saturday morning.”
On Saturday Dec. 13, the Yakima River crested about 16.27 feet after an atmospheric river covered Washington State.
Davis recommends signing up for “Code Red,” the mass notification app, to stay updated with crucial information and evacuation notices.
The American Red Cross has a shelter open at Central Church, located at 1124 Stevens Drive in Richland. The shelter will be available for residents who need shelter services amid the severe flooding in the area.
More helpful flood preparedness resources can be found here.
