ARLINGTON — The 4 a.m. projections for flooding were revised to 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, and the 22 feet was changed to 25 feet of water.

Arlington schools started two hours late but bus transportation up valley was cancelled because SR 530 was closed to traffic from 11 p.m. into Thursday mid day.

The new SR 9 north of Arlington had water over the surface, but traffic was still passing through Thursday morning.

“It’s record-level flooding,” said Arlington Fire Chief Jim Rankin.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon declared a state of emergency related to flooding events and continuing rain during the next 24 hours will keep many Snohomish County rivers near crest levels until Friday morning.

“Flood levels are approaching, if not surpassing, 2006 flood levels, warranting an emergency declaration,” Reardon said Wednesday evening. “Public safety is our top priority and this will assist our county employees in achieving that task.”

The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) still expects significant flooding on all rivers throughout the county, including the Stillaguamish River near Arlington where record flood levels were expected.

DEM has not ordered any evacuations, however many residents in low-lying areas – including Arlington, Stanwood and Monroe – have chosen to find alternate housing.

To accommodate residents, the American Red Cross of Snohomish County has opened shelters at the Arlington Free Methodist Church, 730 E. Highland Dr. and New View Church, 8028 272nd St. NW, Stanwood.

“Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring conditions near their home and to seek other shelter if needed,” said DEM Director John Pennington. “Under no circumstances should residents drive through or approach flood waters or flooded roads.”

Rain is expected to dissipate during the next 24 hours but continues to cause problems. A number of roads in the county, including Pioneer Highway west of Olson Road, have been closed due to landslides. Nearly three dozen county roads have been closed due to flooding.

At Stanwood, the Stillaguamish River is forecast to crest at 41 feet.

Rivers should return to normal levels by Friday.

Road closure lists and flood updates can be found at www.snoco.org.

Additional flooding issues can be reported to Emergency Management at 425-388-5060.

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