The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning in Okanogan County as slow moving storms could bring heavy rain to the region. ?Eleven rivers in north central and eastern Washington state are already near flood stage or higher.
Severe thunderstorms could dump more than a tenth of an inch of rain in Okanogan County and burn scars from severe wildfires here in recent years means all that water could come rushing off hillsides.
The Emergency Services Department for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville has issued evacuation notices for eight homes on the east side of the Okanogan River near Omak.
Currently, no other evacuation notices have been issued, but emergency managers encourage the public to remain prepared.
Elsewhere east of the Cascades, Winthrop could see a quarter inch of rain. The nearby Methow River is nearing flood stage. And in Ferry County, where there’s also been severe flooding, Republic could receive close to half an inch of rain overnight. ??
The flash flood watch is in effect through May 25.