The National Weather Service has issued a special weather bulletin regarding heavy rain they expect to begin this afternoon. The area most susceptible in West Seattle is Longfellow Creek which in 2010 did over run its banks and fill the parking lot of what was then called All-Star Fitness. The service does not expect flooding in this event but suggests people stay aware in the event it does occur.

The notice extends from 12 Noon through Friday afternoon.

FROM NOON PDT TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IS ANTICIPATED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY. HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FROM THE OLYMPICS EASTWARD ALTHOUGH THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD PRODUCE RAIN RATES OF A HALF INCH AN HOUR OR MORE. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN IN THE LOWLANDS AND UP TO 4 INCHES IN THE CASCADES BY LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* THE POTENTIALLY EXCESSIVE RAINFALL COULD LEAD TO URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING. A SHORT PERIOD OF INTENSE RAINFALL WITH THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD CAUSE FLASH
FLOODING AND OVERWHELM STORM DRAINS...LEADING TO FLOODED ROADS. MUD OR ROCK SLIDES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE IN STEEP MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. EXPECT SIGNIFICANT RISES ON AREA RIVERS BUT FLOODING IS UNLIKELY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR FLOODING BUT FLOODING IS NOT IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.