Water spills over roads, diversion dam and into house
By Dennis Box and Brian Beckley
The Courier-Herald
Holy rain cloud Batman, I'm soggy.
After 27 consecutive days of rain and several pounding storms last week, most of the Plateau was knee deep in water, water and more water.
According to the National Weather Service, since the rains began Dec. 19 more than 13 inches were recorded at SeaTac Airport and two single day records were set - 1.33 inches Jan. 5 and .94 inches Jan. 10.
Bonney Lake encountered fewer problems than many low-lying areas, but there were some plugged storm drains and water flooding over roadways, particularly near 214th Street East and the Sumner-Buckley Highway.
Puget Sound Energy reported water was cascading over the White River diversion dam Jan. 11.
“We think we've had at least eight panels knocked out,” PSE spokesman Roger Thompson said. “It's hard to tell because the water is overtopping the dam right now.”
Thompson said at some point in the spring PSE and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to repair the dam panels as they did last year after December and January storms.
The dam ensures the corps fish trap operates, allowing spawning salmon to be taken by truck around Mud Mountain Dam to the upper White River
One Bonney Lake homeowner was nearly ankle deep in water Jan. 11.
Dan Beebe, who owns a home near Debra Jane Lake, said water began coming into his house about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Beebe said his house is on the lowest spot around the lake. He has lived there seven years.
“It (the lake) is probably six inches higher than I've seen it,” Beebe said. “I've never had problems before.”
Beebe said he bought a second shop vacuum, rented a sump pump and bought another to combat the water.
At least two rooms and carpeting were damaged by the water.
Although the rain relented over the weekend, the forecast is rain as far as the eye can see.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.
Brian Beckley can be reached at bbeckley@courierherald.com
