Potential Flood Watch

We are reaching out to inform you about the potential for significant flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday. The district is actively monitoring the situation and may take proactive measures. In the event of game/practice cancellations, notifications will be sent out through Remind and Final Forms for both CMS and SWHS athletics. As a precautionary measure, we recommend making alternative arrangements for transportation home in case practices or games are canceled later in the day on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have family and friends who normally attend games, please help us by passing the word along to them as soon as possible. We will also post cancellations on https://swhscubsden.com/ and on https://www.facebook.com/SWHSCubsDen.

If school events are canceled, we will mark them as “CANCELED” on the Events Calendar on the website (https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/events). We will also send out an email update as soon as possible and post to social media channels. If school is canceled or there is a two-hour delay, Special Education or 504 meetings will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

For other groups (such as SWISH, Robotics Club, Steelclaw Wrestling, Lego Club, Parent Groups, etc.) who use our facilities, this means those events may also be canceled. Users would be notified by our facilities coordinator via the contact information we have on file.

Multiple incoming storms are expected to cause the Skagit River to reach Major Flood conditions by Tuesday, Dec. 5, extending into Wednesday, Dec. 6. The river is projected to crest at 38.08 feet (Major Flood stage is 32.5 feet) around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Concrete and at 34.66 feet on Wednesday, Dec. 6 in Mount Vernon. The river is expected to be above major flood stage in Concrete from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. The river in Sedro-Woolley typically crests about 12 hours after Concrete’s crest, so about 4 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.

According to the hydrologic information posted by the National Weather Service, when the Skagit River is 32.5 feet or higher, flooding would be anticipated from Rockport downstream through Sedro-Woolley, affecting low-lying areas near the river, roads, and residential areas, primarily in Cape Horn, Hamilton, and Thunderbird. Areas such as Cockreham Island, Nookachamps, and Sterling may also experience water flow. Major flooding is at 37 feet, causing deep and swift floodwaters to inundate roads, farms, businesses, and residential areas in the aforementioned regions.

In previous flood events, our bus drivers have often been the first to identify impassable roads due to flooding. To enhance your awareness of route changes during such events, we strongly recommend downloading the Traversa Ride 360 app (details provided in the section below). This app will keep you promptly informed about any alterations to bus routes.

In the event of a two-hour delay, bus riders can anticipate the bus arriving approximately two hours later than the usual schedule. If certain roads become impassable due to flooding, and schools remain open, the Transportation Department may implement alternate stops. It's important to note that all students will be picked up (AM) and dropped off (PM) at the same location, regardless of weather-related changes.

During adverse weather conditions, our dispatch secretaries may experience high call volumes. If you need to contact the Transportation Department, please call 360-855-3504. If your call is not immediately answered, please leave a message, and they will return your call as soon as possible.

Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure the safety and efficient transportation of our students during challenging weather conditions.

For families whose children utilize bus services, we strongly encourage you to download Traversa Ride 360, a secure platform that grants access to your student's bus schedule and routing information. This service is accessible on mobile devices, offering both confidentiality and security. The program is available for free download and use, and can be accessed through the web or mobile app.

Traversa Ride 360 Registration Link

To assist you in navigating the Traversa Ride 360 platform, we have provided user guides for both website access and smartphones. Please click on the links below to download the guides:

• User Guide - English

• User Guide - Spanish

To add your student to the Traversa Ride 360 app, parents/guardians will need to use their student ID# and current grade level. Grade levels are denoted as follows:

• Kindergarten = K1
• First = 01
• Second = 02
• Third = 03
• Fourth = 04
• Fifth = 05
• Sixth = 06
• Seventh = 07
• Eighth = 08
• Ninth = 09
• Tenth = 10
• Eleventh = 11
• Twelfth= 12

For preschool families, please contact transportation at 360-855-3504.

If you reside in a flood-prone or low-lying area, please take necessary precautions. Follow guidelines from local authorities and emergency services. Levees east of Sedro Woolley may be damaged under sustained flood waters, so it's crucial to stay informed and prepared.

Provided for your reference are recent and historic crest levels of the Skagit River, highlighting the potential severity of the upcoming event.

Recent Crest Levels:

29.49 ft on 11/29/2021

38.93 ft on 11/15/2021

29.44 ft on 11/13/2021

31.58 ft on 10/29/2021

30.66 ft on 02/02/2020

Historic Crest Levels:

69.30 ft on 01/01/1815

42.21 ft on 10/21/2003

41.57 ft on 11/29/1995

40.80 ft on 11/27/1949

40.20 ft on 11/10/1990

Please exercise caution and avoid driving through water over roadways, even if no 'Road Closed' sign is present. It only takes a small amount of water to pose a significant danger to drivers and passengers.

Your safety is our top priority. Please stay vigilant, follow the guidance of local authorities, and take necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of your family.

Monitor river levels through the National Weather Service here. If you have questions or are unsure about where to go, contact the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management at 360-416-1892. The River Level Hotline is 360-416-1404.

For real-time updates and emergency information, sign up for the emergency information listserv or CodeRed Alerts. You can also contact the River Level Hotline at 360-416-1404, and visit www.skagitcounty.net/flood for frequent updates on current conditions.