ARLINGTON — The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for parts of Snohomish County through Jan. 16, and the city of Arlington is working to make sure it’s ready.

A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Monitor the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service and be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a warning is issued.

Arlington Assistant City Administrator Kristin Banfield explained that three pallets of sandbags are available at Island Crossing, and that both sand and bags are available at the Arlington City Hall.

“People can fill their own sandbags there,” Banfield said. “They can also buy sandbags at Arlington Hardware and the Co-Op.”

Arlington Community Emergency Management Coordinator Christine Badger has spoken with business owners in flood-prone areas such as Island Crossing about the importance of mobilizing quickly in the event of a flood, while city crews will be monitoring areas such as Portage Creek over the weekend to check the water levels.

“The ground is already saturated,” Banfield said. “With one to four inches of rain expected, it’s going to hit these streams that feed into the Stilly, especially as the snow melts. It’s better for us to prepare now than to get caught by surprise.”