News Update

POSTED: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008

Rain could cause floods, landslides in Whatcom County this week

Heavy rain falling over portions of Western Washington could cause areas of flooding and hillsides to slide, according to the National Weather Service.

The two-day storm could dump as much as 6 inches of rain on coastal areas by the end of Wednesday, Nov. 12, with even higher totals in the mountains.

Through Wednesday afternoon, the Bellingham area likely will receive about 1.5 inches of rain, said Johnny Burg, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

With heavy rain predicted, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Nooksack River as well as most other rivers in the region. The watch will be in effect until late Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service has also issued a wind advisory through 10 a.m. Wednesday, predicting gusts from 20 to 45 mph.

Rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, on top of heavy rain that fell in the region last week, also will increase the risk of landslides in Whatcom and other Western Washington counties into Thursday, Nov. 13.

Rain-induced slides are more common when rainfall exceeds 2 inches in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.