WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The third in a series of atmospheric river weather systems arrived today, November 30th, bringing more rain before rivers and flat lands had a chance to drain following the heavy rains brought by the 2 prior systems.
Of concern is damage done to the levee system during the mid-November flooding that occurred about 2 weeks earlier that held the potential to allow flooding to occur at lower river levels.
According to a press release from the Whatcom County Emergency Operations Center today, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is making “ongoing repairs to the Timon levee” after having completed interim repairs on the Rainbow Slough and Twin View levees. Whatcom County Public Works (WCPW) has been assisting by transporting rock.
- Timon Levee – north side of the river upstream from Lynden
- Twin View Levee – upstream of the Everson bridge
- Rainbow Slough Levee – south of Slater Road near Ferndale Road
The USACE also assisted WCPW with repairs to Truck Road and a temporary access for North Fork Road.
Members of the Washington State National Guard have also been helping with sandbagging, transportation of supplies and staffing road closure points to prevent drivers from being stranded or needing rescue.
WCPW is delivering sand upon request to areas throughout Whatcom County, clearing storm drains and assessing damage to the transportation infrastructure.