Warm temperatures, rain and rapidly melting snow in the highlands are contributing to rising concerns about possible flooding along the Naches and Yakima rivers this weekend.
But forecasters say it won鈥檛 be anything like what the area endured in December, when severe flooding caused extensive damage to roads and property.
鈥淭his is something that they see every two, three years,鈥 hydrologist George Perry at the office in Pendleton, Ore., said Thursday morning.
Still, weather forecasters and local emergency-services agencies will be keeping a close eye on conditions at least through Sunday, and they鈥檙e urging folks who live in flood-prone areas to say alert and take some just-in-case precautions.
The Naches and the Yakima are expected to crest just below or right at moderate flood stage Saturday afternoon or evening. Perry said the highest-risk spots are near Easton, the Umtanum area in the Yakima River Canyon and farther downstream near Kiona.
Houses should be safe this time, Perry said, but with a 鈥渧ery strong high-pressure system鈥 bearing down on the region, it鈥檚 wise to remain vigilant.
Preparing for the worst, Yakima County Emergency Management has set up an emergency operation center, and sandbag refilling stations are ready to go. also lists current evacuation levels and weather reports.
鈥淧lease stay alert, monitor changing conditions, and take precautions to keep your home and family safe,鈥 the agency advises on .
Sandbags can be filled at the following Yakima-area locations, according to emergency management:
鈥 Roy鈥檚 Ace Hardware 鈥 405 W. Yakima Ave / 509-453-4725
鈥 Steins Ace Hardware Home Center 鈥 7200 W. Nob Hill Blvd. / 509-965-2622
鈥 Lowe鈥檚 Home Improvement 鈥 2235 Longfibre Road / 509-576-7750
鈥 Central Pre-Mix Concrete Co. 鈥 2000 E. Beech St. / 509-248-2041
鈥 Helms True Value East Valley 鈥 104 Butterfield Road / 509-955-9515
鈥 Western Materials 鈥 1202 S. First St. / 509-575-3000
In Sunnyside:
鈥 Sunnyside Ace Hardware 鈥 615 黑料福利社 Highway / 509-837-6401
鈥 Central Pre-Mix Concrete Co. 鈥 112 Factory Road / 509-882-3325
Bags can also be filled at Nile-Cliffdell Fire Station 14 at 14550 State Route 410.
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