Yakima River near Tri-Cities reaches flood stage

The water in the Yakima River hit flood stage about 2 p.m. Wednesday just above the Tri-Cities after rising faster than anticipated overnight.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning based on the water level recorded at the Kiona gauge, the gauge closest to the Tri-Cities.

The “action” stage, at which residents are urged to take precautions, is 11 feet, and flood stage is 13 feet.

Water is expected to continue to rise through Thursday morning, hitting 13.7 feet. Flooding still should be minor at that level, according to the weather service.

The weather service cautions drivers to avoid flood areas. Livestock may need to be moved to higher ground.

Heavy rain and snow melt in the Cascade Mountains over the holiday weekend has raised the level of rivers and streams east of the Cascades.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Yakima River near Tri-Cities reaches flood stage."