Flood — Yakima, Washington

2011-05-15 to 2011-05-23 · near Cliffdell, Yakima, Washington

Event narrative

Flooding closed sections of Highway 410 and other roads along the Naches River from Cliffdell to Yakima. High water and large debris damaged bridges. The Naches River crested at 20.4 on May 15th, which was 3.4 feet above flood stage. At Cliffdell, the river crested at 32.2 feet on May 15th, which was 1.3 feet above normal.

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 → (46.9719, -121.1133)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 312845. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.