River levels drop; more rain coming

Rivers and weather: — Although it's raining across the region this morning, the National Weather Service said the deluge won't be anything like what was seen earlier this week.

The heavy rains will turn to showers Saturday, said meteorologist Dennis D'Amico. A winter storm warning has been issued for the Cascades — up to 14 inches of snow is expected to fall this weekend. A snow advisory has been posted for the Olympics.

Robert Harper, spokesman for the state Emergency Management Division, said his office is watching this morning's rain with concern for rivers that remain flooded after storms earlier in the week. The Emergency Management Division is monitoring the Skagit, Snohomish, Cowlitz and White rivers for additional flooding, he said.

Roads: The Preston Frontage Bridge, which had been in danger of collapsing, was stabilized Thursday. Repairs are expected to take up to two weeks.

Highway 9 was reopened early Thursday before the morning commute.

For the latest information on roads:

• King County: www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/

• Snohomish County: www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Emergency_Management/

• State roads: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/

Losses: Robert Harper, spokesman for Washington Emergency Management, said it's too soon to know damage totals. The damage seems comparable to that seen after flooding in 1990, '95 and '96, years that he called "some of the most severe floods on record in Washington state history."

"We're going to have to do an assessment process jointly with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]," Harper said.

His office is anticipating damage assessments from the 24 counties affected by this week's floods before determining how much money will go toward repairs. He said his office and FEMA will also do their own research in damaged areas.

To report losses to county agencies, King County residents can call 800-523-5044; Snohomish County residents can call 425-388-5060.

Cleanup: King County Executive Ron Sims is proposing free disposal of storm-related debris at King County solid-waste disposal facilities on Nov. 18 and 19. The King County Council is expected to act on the motion Monday.

Snohomish County is offering free waste disposal starting Monday for flood-related waste. The free disposal will continue through March 13 at transfer stations in Arlington, Everett and Mountlake Terrace and county drop boxes in Granite Falls, Sultan, Oso and Gold Bar. To use the free disposal, residents must pick up a voucher from a Sheriff's Office or precinct or the Red Cross in Everett.

Elsewhere: The Army Corps of Engineers was called to inspect dikes along the Cowlitz River in Lewis County, where heavy rains sent the river over its banks, killing two people earlier in the week and flooding homes in Packwood and the nearby valley town of Randle.

Times reporters Jennifer Sullivan and Peyton Whitely and The Associated Press contributed to this report.