A cooperative effort by Skagit County Public Works, Sheriffs Department,
Information Services and Department of Emergency Management.

Number: 15
Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 5:30 PM
From: Skagit County Public WorksContact: Ric Boge, PIO, 360-428-3291 or 3292 (for agency release only)

SKAGIT RIVER NOW FORECAST TO CREST AT 11:00 PM IN MOUNT VERNON

The National Weather Service now forecasts the Skagit River to crest at 38 feet in Mount Vernon at 11:00 PM tonight. The river stage in Mount Vernon at 5:00 PM was 34.29 feet.
The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 5:00 PM today it was reading 35.05 feet. Flood stage at both Concrete and Mount Vernon is 28 feet.

The US Army Corps of Engineers now advises that the South Fork Bridge over the Skagit River will be closed from approximately 7:00 PM this evening to 5:30 AM tomorrow morning. One lane will periodically be open for a short time. The purpose of the closure is to remove an extensive debris jam from the bridge.

Officials are now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary and mandatory evacuations of many low-lying areas in the Sedro-Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon areas, as well as Fir Island. The American Red Cross is or already has established shelters at the following locations for those who are displaced:
- Hamilton 1st Baptist Church
- Grassmere Fire Station
- Marblemount Community Center (after 6:40 PM)
- Clearlake Community Covenant Church
- Conway Elementary School
- Skagit Valley College
- Sedro-Woolley High School
- Mount Vernon High School
- Bay View Elementary School
- Rexville Grange.

Note that one site earlier listed, Allen School, is not open as a shelter.

County and other officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425, visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web or listen to local radio stations.

Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 3:50 PM

SKAGIT COUNTY EVACUATION ORDER

By order of: Skagit County Sheriff of Skagit County, Washington

We are evacuating the area(s) of:

1. An area from Cook Road south to the Skagit River between Gardner Road and Collins Road.
2. An area consisting from Peterson Road south to the Skagit River between Avon Allen and Pulver Road.
3. An area with Bennett/Young Road to the north and Best Road on the west then south and west to the Skagit River.
4. An area from the Skagit River at Dike Road South to the Britt Road at Britt Slough.
5. An area surrounded by the Riverbend Road east to the Mount Vernon City limits.

Due to: Flooding

For further information and instructions, please tune your radio to your local Emergency Alert Broadcast Station (KBRC 1430, KAPS 660, KLKI 1340) or call the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management at (360) 428-3250.

Sheriff Rick Grimstead October 21, 2003
Skagit County Sheriff's Office

News Release Number: 14
Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 3:30 PM
From: Skagit County Public Works

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS HAMPERING EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office advises that traffic congestion along the I-5 corridor is causing emergency vehicles and heavy equipment to be delayed in responding to the flood. Officials are requesting all citizens not directly involved in the flood fight operation to go home and remain at home. Officials request that citizens refrain from attempting to drive near the river to observe the flood.

Officials are now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary evacuations of many low-lying areas of the down-river portions of the Skagit River. The American Red Cross is setting up additional shelters for those who are displaced. The areas being evacuated and shelters for evacuees include:
- Inside the Riverbend area of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to the Mount Vernon High School or Skagit Valley College.
- Portions of the west side of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to Rexville Grange.
- Fir Island near Conway - displaced residents are advised to go to the Conway Elementary School.
- Gages Slough within the Burlington City limits and east - displaced residents are advised to go to the Bay View School or to the Allen School.

Highway 20 may be closed from Gardner Road east past Collins Road if conditions warrant.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has notified authorities that the South Fork Bridge over the Skagit River will be closed from approximately 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM this evening for log debris removal work.

Sandbagging volunteers are requested to report to the Dike District #3 headquarters in Conway across from the fire hall. The Skagit Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is also seeking volunteers. Red Cross volunteers should report directly to the Chapter headquarters at 119 S. 14th Street in Mount Vernon.

The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 3:00 PM today it was reading 36.42 feet. The 3:15 PM gauge reading at Mount Vernon was 33.26 feet. The forecast crest for the Skagit in Mount Vernon from the National Weather Service is 38 feet at 9:00 PM this evening. Flood stage at both Concrete and Mount Vernon is 28 feet.

County and other officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425, visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web or listen to local radio stations.

Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 1:30 PM
From: Skagit County Public Works

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS HAMPERING EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office advises that traffic congestion along the I-5 corridor is causing emergency vehicles and heavy equipment to be delayed in responding to the flood. Officials are requesting all citizens not directly involved in the flood fight operation to go home and remain at home. Officials request that citizens refrain from attempting to drive near the river to observe the flood.

Officials strongly recommend that businesses located in the Sedro-Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon area close as soon as possible and, if closing is not possible, release affected employees to go home. Other businesses located throughout the region are encouraged to release employees who live in or commute through Skagit County to return home as soon as possible.

Officials are now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary evacuations of many low-lying areas of the down-river portions of the Skagit River. The American Red Cross is setting up additional shelters for those who are displaced. The areas being evacuated and shelters for evacuees include:
- Inside the Riverbend area of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to the Mount Vernon High School or Skagit Valley College.
- Portions of the west side of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to Rexville Grange.
- Fir Island near Conway - displaced residents are advised to go to the Conway Elementary School.
- Gages Slough east of Burlington - displaced residents are advised to go to the Bay View School or to the Allen School.

Highway 20 will be closed from Gardner Road east past Collins Road. Burlington City Officials are advising residents of the Gages Slough area within the City Limits to prepare for possible evacuation. Early this afternoon Officials will make the evacuation decision and affected residents will be notified.

Sandbagging volunteers are requested to report to the Clear Lake Fire Hall. The Skagit Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is also seeking volunteers. Red Cross volunteers should report directly to the Chapter headquarters at 119 S. 14th Street in Mount Vernon.

The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 1:00 PM today it was reading 37.69 feet. Flood stage at Concrete is 28 feet. The 1:00 AM gauge reading at Mount Vernon was 31.83 feet. The forecast crest for the Skagit in Mount Vernon from the National Weather Service is 38 feet at 9:00 PM this evening. Flood stage at Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425 or visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web.

Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 11:00 A.M.
From: Skagit County Public Works

EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY IN THE DOWNRIVER AREAS OF THE SKAGIT RIVER

Officials are now conducting or preparing to conduct precautionary evacuations of many low-lying areas of the down-river portions of the Skagit River. The American Red Cross is setting up additional shelters for those who are displaced. The areas being evacuated and shelters for evacuees include:
- Inside the Riverbend area of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to the Mount Vernon High School or Skagit Valley College.
- Portions of the west side of Mount Vernon - displaced residents are advised to go to Rexville Grange.
- Fir Island near Conway - displaced residents are advised to go to the Conway Fire Hall.
- Gages Slough east of Burlington - displaced residents are advised to go to the Bay View School or to the Allen School.

Highway 20 will be closed from Gardner Road east past Collins Road. Burlington City Officials are advising residents of the Gages Slough area within the City Limits to prepare for possible evacuation. Early this afternoon Officials will make the evacuation decision and affected residents will be notified.

The Skagit Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help. Volunteers should report directly to the Chapter headquarters at 119 S. 14th Street in Mount Vernon.
People living in the flood plain are advised to move important records to a safe area.

Officials are advising businesses located in or near Burlington, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley to consider closing early this afternoon so that employees will have adequate time to return home during daylight hours and prepare for any followup actions necessary due to the flood. Additionally, officials request that businesses and agencies with employees who live in these three cities consider early release of their employees.

The Skagit crested at 42.2 feet at Concrete at 6:45 AM this morning and is slowly receding. At 11:00 AM today it was reading 40.56 feet. Flood stage at Concrete is 28 feet. The 11:00 AM gauge reading at Mount Vernon was 30.40 feet. The forecast crest for the Skagit in Mount Vernon from the National Weather Service is 38 feet at 7:00 PM tonight. Flood stage at Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425 or visit www.skagitcounty.net on the web.

STATE HIGHWAY 536 BRIDGE IN MOUNT VERNON TO CLOSE AT 10:00 THIS MORNING

The State Department of Transportation is closing the highway 536 bridge to west Mount Vernon at 10:00 this morning.

50 Volunteers are requested to report immediately to 1317 S. Anacortes Street in Burlington help Dike District 12 with sandbagging. Volunteers are also asked to report immediately to the downtown Mount Vernon Fire Hall on South 2nd Street and to the Conway Fire Station. Dike District 17 needs volunteers for sandbagging at their headquarters on Stewart Road in Mount Vernon, near the Cottontree Inn at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. All volunteers should come with appropriate footwear, rain gear and gloves.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. At 8:30 AM Tuesday morning, the gauge at Concrete read 41.27 feet. The river crested at 42.19 feet at Concrete at 6:45 this morning. The 7:30 AM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 29.57 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 7:00 PM Tuesday evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

All residents are cautioned that this flood event is expected to equal or exceed the major flood events of 1990 and 1995.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED IN CONCRETE, BURLINGTON-EDISON, LA CONNER, MOUNT VERNON, SEDRO-WOOLLEY AND CONWAY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION

Public schools in the Burlington-Edison, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Conway, Concrete, and Sedro-Woolley are closed today as a safety precaution. Anacortes Schools are open. All out of district activities and transportation will also be cancelled in La Conner.

This flood is equaling or exceeding the flood events of 1990 and 1995.

People living in the flood plain are encouraged to move their records to a safe area.

Plans are underway to move farm animals to high ground.

The National Guard is staged at Marblemount and Hamilton to help with evacuation. Also 15 Search and Rescue personnel are stationed at Hamilton.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42.5 feet at Concrete at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. At 7:30 AM Tuesday morning, the gauge at Concrete read 41.86 feet.

The 7:30 AM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 29.57 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 7:00 PM Tuesday evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

50 Volunteers are requested to report immediately to 1317 S. Anacortes Street in Burlington help Dike District 12 with sandbagging. Volunteers are also asked to report immediately to the downtown Mount Vernon Fire Hall on South 2nd Street and to the Conway Fire Station. Dike District 17 needs volunteers for sandbagging at their headquarters on Stewart Road in Mount Vernon, near the Cottontree Inn at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. All volunteers should come with appropriate footwear, rain gear and gloves.

Shelters are open at the following locations:

Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.
Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station have sandbagged around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED IN BURLINGTON-EDISON, LA CONNER, MOUNT VERNON, AND SEDRO-WOOLLEY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION

Public schools in the Burlington-Edison, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley are closed today as a safety precaution. Anacortes Schools are open. All out of district activities and transportation will also be cancelled in La Conner.

This flood is equaling or exceeding the flood events of 1990 and 1995.

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management is recommending that local elementary and secondary schools close today as a safety precaution.

People living in the flood plain are encouraged to move their records to a safe area.

Plans are underway to move farm animals to high ground.

The National Guard is staged at Marblemount and Hamilton to help with evacuation. Also 15 Search and Rescue personnel are stationed at Hamilton.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42.5 feet at Concrete at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. At 5:30 AM Tuesday morning, the gauge at Concrete read 41.72 feet.

The 5:30 AM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 28.99 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 8:00 PM Tuesday evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Volunteers to sandbag are asked to report to the Mount Vernon Fire Hall on South 2nd Street in Downtown Mount Vernon at 8:00 AM Tuesday. Volunteers are also asked to report to the Conway Fire Station at 8:00 AM. Dike District 17 needs volunteers for sandbagging at their headquarters on Stewart Road in Mount Vernon, near the Cottontree Inn at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Sandbagging will also take place at the Skagit County Courthouse. No volunteers are requested.

Shelters are open at the following locations:

· Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.
Shelters were opened yesterday at the following locations:
· Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
· Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station have sandbagged around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

STATE ROUTE 20 CLOSED AT HAMILTON, STATE ROUTE 530 CLOSED BETWEEN ROCKPORT AND DARRINGTON

State Route 20 is closed at Hamilton, and also near Marblemount and Newhalem. State Route 530 is closed between Rockport and Darrington. Numerous roads throughout Skagit County are closed.

Plans are underway to move farm animals to high ground.

The National Guard is staged at Marblemount and Hamilton to help with evacuation. Also 15 Search and Rescue personnel are stationed at Hamilton.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42 feet at Concrete at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. At 3:20 AM Tuesday morning, the gauge at Concrete read 40.55 feet.

The 3:20 AM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 28.51 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 8:00 PM Tuesday evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Volunteers to sandbag are asked to report to the Mount Vernon Fire Hall on South 2nd Street in Downtown Mount Vernon at 8:00 AM Tuesday. Volunteers are also asked to report to the Conway Fire Station at 8:00 AM. Dike District 17 needs volunteers for sandbagging at their headquarters on Stewart Road in Mount Vernon, near the Cottontree Inn at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Sandbagging will also take place at the Skagit County Courthouse. No volunteers are requested.

Shelters are open at the following locations:

· Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.
Shelters were opened yesterday at the following locations:
· Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
· Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is notifying residents upriver in eastern areas of Skagit County of possible evacuation. Those areas include:
· Cascade River Road
· Fish hatchery area near Marblemount
· Thunderbird Lane
· Capehorn area
· Crowfoot area near Concrete

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station are sandbagging around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

CREST PREDICTIONS MOVED UP TO TUESDAY, 8:00 AM AT CONCRETE, 8:00 PM AT MOUNT VERNON

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN MOUNT VERNON FOR DIKE DISTRICT 3, 17, AND 22

Volunteers for Dike District 22 are asked to report to the Conway Fire Station at 8:00 AM. Volunteers for Dike District 3 are asked to report to the Mount Vernon Fire Hall on South 2nd Street in Downtown Mount Vernon at 8:00 AM. Dike District 17 needs volunteers for sandbagging at their headquarters on Stewart Road in Mount Vernon, near the Cottontree Inn at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The National Guard is staged at Marblemount and Hamilton to help with evacuation. Also 15 Search and Rescue personnel are stationed at Hamilton.

State Route 20, just west of Marblemount at Milepost 101 is closed due to water on the roadway.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42 feet at Concrete at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. At 12:00 AM Tuesday morning, the gauge at Concrete read 38.12 feet.

The 12:00 AM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 27.15 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 8:00 PM tomorrow evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are tentatively planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Emergency evacuation is underway in the Hamilton area. The American Red Cross has opened a third shelter for people displaced by high water. The third shelter location is the:
· Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.
Earlier today shelters were opened at the following locations:
· Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
· Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is notifying residents upriver in eastern areas of Skagit County of Possible evacuation. Those areas include:
· Cascade River Road
· Fish hatchery area near Marblemount
· Thunderbird Lane
· Capehorn area
· Crowfoot area near Concrete

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station are now sandbagging around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

Skagit at Concrete: 38.12 Flood stage at Concrete is 28 feet
Skagit at Mount Vernon: 27.51 Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet

EMERGENCY FLOOD ALERT for EASTERN SKAGIT COUNTY TONIGHT

STATE ROUTE 20 IS CLOSED NEAR MARBLEMOUNT

State Route 20, just west of Marblemount at Milepost 101 is closed due to water on the roadway.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42 feet at Concrete at 11:00 AM tomorrow morning. At 10:00 PM this evening, the gauge at Concrete read 36.75 feet.

The 10:00 PM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 25.97 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 11:00 PM tomorrow evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are tentatively planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. Volunteers are needed for this effort. Volunteers for sandbagging the revetment in Mount Vernon are asked to first sign in at the Mount Vernon Fire Station, located on South 2nd Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Volunteers are also needed at the Conway Fire Station at 8:00 A.M.

Emergency evacuation is underway in the Hamilton area. The American Red Cross has opened a third shelter for people displaced by high water. The third shelter location is the:
· Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.
Earlier today shelters were opened at the following locations:
· Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
· Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is notifying residents upriver in eastern areas of Skagit County of Possible evacuation. Those areas include:
· Cascade River Road
· Fish hatchery area near Marblemount
· Thunderbird Lane
· Capehorn area
· Crowfoot area near Concrete

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station are now sandbagging around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants.

EMERGENCY FLOOD ALERT for EASTERN SKAGIT COUNTY TONIGHT

STATE ROUTE 20 IS CLOSED NEAR MARBLEMOUNT

State Route 20, just west of Marblemount at Milepost 101 is closed due to water on the roadway.

The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast serious flooding for the Skagit River system. The Skagit and its tributaries have been rising rapidly in the eastern, upriver portion of Skagit County. The prediction is that the river will reach 42 feet at Concrete at 11:00 AM tomorrow morning. At 10:00 PM this evening, the gauge at Concrete read 36.75 feet.

The 10:00 PM gauge reading for Mount Vernon is 25.97 feet. The National Weather Service has revised its forecast for the Skagit crest in Mount Vernon to 38 feet at 11:00 PM tomorrow evening. Flood stage in Mount Vernon is 28 feet. City officials are tentatively planning to begin sandbagging of the downtown revetment, a paved parking facility adjacent to the river in downtown Mount Vernon, at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. Volunteers are needed for this effort. Volunteers for sandbagging the revetment in Mount Vernon are asked to first sign in at the Mount Vernon Fire Station, located on South 2nd Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Volunteers are also needed at the Conway Fire Station at 8:00 A.M.

Emergency evacuation is underway in the Hamilton area. The American Red Cross has opened a third shelter for people displaced by high water. The third shelter location is the:

Marblemount Community Hall, 60055 SR 20; phone 360-873-4432.

Earlier today shelters were opened at the following locations:

Grassmere Fire Hall, 4288 Hwy 20, Concrete; phone 360-853-8361 and
Hamilton 1st Baptist Church, 797 Hamilton Cemetery Rd.; ph. 360-826-3307.

Skagit County Sheriff's Office is notifying residents upriver in eastern areas of Skagit County of Possible evacuation. Those areas include:

Cascade River Road
Fish hatchery area near Marblemount
Thunderbird Lane
Capehorn area
Crowfoot area near Concrete

Personnel from the Whidbey Naval Air Station are now sandbagging around the Anacortes Water Treatment Plant. The Riverbend Road is closed.

County officials and work crews continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions as necessary. Additional news releases will be issued as new information warrants. For updated Skagit River information call 419-3425