FERNDALE, Wash. — The Nooksack River rose steadily yesterday, Tuesday, January 7th, pushed upward by mountain rain Monday and Tuesday. But, according to the US Geological Survey reporting, it failed to reach forecast levels.
The Nooksack River crested about 6pm yesterday at 16.6 feet, well below the expected crest level of 19+ feet.
But this crest level was enough to cause several road disclosures displacing evening commuters who would normally have used Marine Drive or Slater Road to reach or leave locations west of I-5. This created a slow-moving parade of endless headlights and taillights as detoured traffic poured onto Main Street in both directions for hours.
Slater Road and Marine Drive along with other closed roads remain closed this morning. Whatcom County Public Works will assess each as the floodwaters recede to determine when the appropriate time to reopen.
Current and updated road closure information can be viewed on the MFN Traffic Page.