Seattle declared a state of emergency after heavy rain

SEATTLE, WA — Flood concerns continue Thursday in Puget Sound as heavy rain continues to pour throughout the region. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Issaquah Creek through Thursday night, and high waters were causing fresh problems on roads in King and Pierce counties by Wednesday.

NWS Seattle said periods of heavy rain were expected to persist through early Friday, especially in rivers flowing off the central and southern Cascades. A flood watch is in effect for more than a dozen counties until Friday night.

Forecasters said a very brief break in the wet weather is possible Friday morning before another system arrives in the evening, but flooding impacts could continue into the weekend.

Lt. Gov Cyrus Habib signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring a state of emergency in Western Washington and allocating state emergency management resources to help address any impacts from the storm. The declaration estimated damages above $3 million in the wake of storms beginning Jan. 20 and acknowledged continued rain in the forecast could lead to further issues.