By Brian MIttge, The Chronicle, 1/8/2002
The rain has stopped for now, but the Chehalis and upper Cowlitz rivers are still swelling, with rising waters covering many roads, delaying classes in Lewis County's easternmost school district and sending the county into a phase 1 flood warning.
Record rainfall, including 10 times the day's average in Centralia, combined with snow melt from warm temperatures from a ''pineapple express'' that deluged Western Washington Monday.
Flooding wasn't expected to cause damage.
''We're not looking at much,'' said Lewis County Emergency Services Manager Lt. Steve Mansfield. ''We've got a couple spots we're keeping an eye on now.''
The Cowlitz River flowed over State Route 131 half a mile south of U.S. Highway 12 in Randle at 10 p.m. Monday, according to the Department of Transportation, and the road remained closed as of The Chronicle's news deadline this morning.
The Cowlitz crested near Packwood just after midnight at 0.7 feet over flood stage, and was expected to crest late this morning at 1.5 feet above flood stage in Randle, falling under flood stage Wednesday.
The Chehalis River near Grand Mound was expected to crest 1.5 feet above flood stage at 1 a.m. Wednesday, then fall below flood stage later that morning.
Many roads in the Independence Valley were covered by swiftly moving water, the National Weather Service said, including Anderson, James and Independence roads.
The Lucky Eagle Casino on the Chehalis Indian Reservation near Oakville would be isolated by floodwaters, the NWS said.
The Chehalis River near Centralia was expected to reach flood stage at 3 p.m. today and crest a foot over flood stage at 9 p.m., falling below flood stage Wednesday morning.
Classes in the White Pass School District were delayed by two hours because of flooding-related road closures, said Superintendent Dave McKenna. The district has schools in Glenoma, Randle and Packwood.
A ''pineapple express'' brought warm, moist clouds up from California, dumping rain and melting snow as the freezing level shot up to 9,000 feet, said Mansfield.
A break in rains was a break for those watching floodwaters with nervous eyes.
''The weather is cooperating,'' Mansfield said. ''I couldn't ask for a more timely break in the weather. The freezing level is going to come back down, the skies are supposed to break and clear, and that's exactly what we need to at least put this one behind us.''
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Brian Mittge covers local government for The Chronicle. He may be reached by e-mail at bmittge@chronline.com, or by telephoning 807-8237.
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