James Geluso , The Chronicle, 2/26/99
It's going to get a little better, but then it's going to get worse again.
The Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers crested Thursday afternoon, but a new weather system approaching from the Pacific Ocean is expected to make them rise again tonight and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
The Chehalis already caused a Phase 2 flood in Centralia and Chehalis Thursday, meaning it covered some roads, along with inundating some low-lying homes and businesses.
The river crested at 69.6 feet at Centralia's Mellen Street Bridge at about noon Thursday. Flood stage is 65 feet. Near Grand Mound, the river remained above flood stage, but was receding this morning.
The rising waters forced road closures throughout the western part of the county. Airport, Teitzel and Joppish roads are closed, along with Union Avenue and River Heights Road from Cooks Hill to Lincoln Creek. Lincoln Creek, Roswell and Rosebrook roads have water over the roadways, but are still open.
In Southern Thurston County, Independence, Anderson and Moon roads were closed near the Chehalis River, along with U.S. Highway 12 and 188th Avenue near the Lucky Eagle Casino. The roads are expected to be opened in the late afternoon today unless heavy rain falls before then.
Within the Centralia city limits, all roads are open. Scott Johnson and Military roads were reopened early this morning.
Near Adna, Twin Oaks Road is closed. State Highway 6 reopened early this morning, although there is still water over the roadway in some areas, and Highway 603, King Road and Curtis Road have water over the road.
Mill Road, Tune Road and Shorey Road near the Newaukum River are closed. Conrad Road is not closed, but has water over the roadway and was hit by a slide. Hamilton, Labree, Pleasant Valley, Newaukum Valley, Avery, South Military, and Forest-Napavine roads all have water over them, as do Frost and Coulson roads in Southern Lewis County.
Work crews spent part of Thursday clearing slides from roads, including on Draper Road northwest of Centralia and on Independence Road in Thurston County.
James Geluso can be reached by e-mail at news@chronline.com or by telephoning 807-8231.
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