Flood — Benton, Washington

2011-05-17 to 2011-05-19 · near Prosser, Benton, Washington

Event narrative

The Yakima River at Kiona crested at 15.5 feet on May 18th, which was 2.5 feet above flood stage. The flooding damaged several businesses in Prosser and farmland, roads, businesses, and residential areas from Prosser to Richland, including the Beach RV Park in Benton City and the West Richland Golf Course.

Wider weather episode

An upper level low pressure system moved over the Pacific Northwest. Moist and unstable conditions ahead of the low triggered widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and isolated large hail. This combined with the abundant spring snow-pack and wet ground to cause flooding. A 75 yard wide mudslide closed Highway 410 at milepost 87. As the upper low brought colder air. late season heavy snow ended the episode in the Blue Mountains. Snowfall amounts in inches included Touchet Snotel (7).

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.1990, -119.8279)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 312828. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.