Twin Cities Officials: No Major Flooding in Centralia, Chehalis

While forecasted flood levels on the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers in Centralia and Chehalis have decreased overnight, crews are still keeping an eye on swollen creeks.

“As far as we can tell, the latest forecasts indicated that the major rivers, the Skookumchuck and Chehalis, will be cresting at lower levels, which is good news,” said Assistant Chief Rick Mack of the Riverside Fire Authority. “ … Our news that we received overnight indicates that we may have dodged a bullet here.”

Centralia saw some localized flooding from China Creek, and a portion of Main Street was closed due to water over the road.

“I am even as we speak looking at the Salzer Creek area and there are some roads that are closed in the south end of Centralia due to Salzer Creek coming up,” Mack said at about 7 a.m.

China Creek flooded overnight but is receding this morning, said Chief Mike Kytta of the RFA.

Main Street was closed Tuesday night, but will likely reopen this morning, Finch said.

The 100 to 200 block of Iron Street was also closed last night.

Rock and Iron streets are currently closed between Main Street and Magnolia Street due to China Creek flooding. The intersection of Oak and Maple streets is also closed.

Other flooding was contained to side streets in neighborhoods and shouldn’t affect major roads, Mack said.

Kresky Avenue had 6 inches of water over the road this morning, but one lane is still open, said Detective Patty Finch, of the Centralia Police Department.

“That will probably change,” Finch said.

No evacuations were reported in Centralia.

Chief Ken Cardinale of the Chehalis Fire Department said the department had no flood-related responses overnight.

“So far it’s less than what we anticipated,” he said.

Areas in Chehalis threatened by flooding included Airport Road, Riverside Drive and Chehalis Avenue.

Cardinale said Tuesday he was concerned about a levy at the airport, but reported Wednesday morning that the levy was holding.