Recent heavy rains have caused surface flooding in and around the Ferndale area due to the already saturated ground. Combined with minor flooding due to the rising Nooksack River and drivers and people in low-lying areas can expect to find some undesired surprises.
There has been a steady rain through the day and evening. As of 8pm, nearly 1.2 inches had been recorded to have fallen in the Ferndale area today since midnight. Typical rainy days in Ferndale achieve about a quarter of a inch of rainfall.
The Nooksack River has been rising as expected but given the saturated ground, floodwaters moved quickly from the river across low pasture lands onto roads and property. A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy at Marine Drive and Ferndale Road, who had seen flooding in the area many times before, said he had not see the flooding of the roads in that area happen so quickly before. Within less than an hour, floodwaters had gone from spreading onto the roadway to requiring the road be closed.
Reports of flooding in unusual locations have been coming to Discover Ferndale’s attention. Current road closures and advisories (click the link) are being updated as frequently as possible.
Click for more informationDrivers need to be alert for water and debris over roadways and respect road closure signs.
The chance of rain tomorrow is 10% but there remains the prospect of a few more hours of rain tonight. And the river still has another foot or more to rise before achieving the current forecast crest level of over 18 feet. Drivers should be prepared for the potential of additional road closures in the morning.