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Landslides, rising rivers concerns amid heavy rainfall

A weather system has soaked the Puget Sound, increasing landslide risks this week.

>>LIVE: PinPoint StormTracker Doppler Radar

Meteorologist Kelly Franson said a frontal system draped over the area Wednesday morning will eventually move east, but not before dropping 0.5-1” of rain in most locations.

Franson said the landslide threat is elevated, as expected, and will remain so through at least Thursday, even as we briefly cut back on the rain.  It is highest at the "extreme" hazard level in Pierce county with western King county at a "high" hazard level. >> http://www.dnr.wa.gov/slhfm

On Wednesday, Kitsap County officials said a mudslide is blocking both lanes of Crescent Valley Road at Southeast Nelson Road.

Crews were onsite and working to remove the slide.

On Tuesday, a small slide occurred off Marine View Drive in Tacoma.

Crews will be watching the area closely, especially off East 11th Street.  Roads were shut down for a time.

Parts of Maple Valley have also have ground give way with recent heavy rain.

The rain and uncontrolled stormwater are major factors in slides, along with the steepness of hillsides.

Landslides can also trigger flooding.

Rising rivers are also a concern across the Sound. As of Wednesday morning, the White, Green, Tolt and Snoqualmie rivers in King County were at Flood Phase 2, which means minor flooding.

In Snoqualmie, West Snoqualmie River Road Northeast is closed between Northeast Tolt Hill Road and 316th Avenue Southeast. There is standing water on the road where the Snoqualmie has spilled over it's banks.

Around noon at the confluence of the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers, Tolt Hill Road has come closer to being taken over as the Tolt reached Flood Phase 2.

A flood watch is in effect in Pierce, King and Mason counties.

Forecasters say Pierce County should be especially watchful for landslides in coming days.