Yakima, WA – Water levels on the Naches River are rising quickly, with flood stage expected to be reached by Friday afternoon, creating a growing concern for communities across the Yakima Valley.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, a Flood Watch remains in effect for the Naches River near Naches from Friday afternoon through early Sunday afternoon. River levels were already at 17.4 feet as of Wednesday afternoon, just below the 17.8-foot flood stage, and are projected to climb to 17.9 feet Friday and as high as 18.5 feet by Saturday evening.
The combination of heavy rain along the Cascade crest and rapid snowmelt is accelerating runoff into the river system. Areas from Cliffdell downstream through Naches and toward Yakima could see minor flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone zones near the riverbanks.
Residents near the Naches River should closely monitor water levels and be prepared to act if warnings are issued. Agricultural lands, rural roads, and smaller access routes near the river may be the first impacted as water levels rise.
The flood threat will persist into early Sunday afternoon as runoff continues, and additional alerts may be issued if river levels exceed projections.
