Mount Vernon City officials say proactive monitoring and established decision points kept downtown dry during a recent severe river event and helped protect residents.

Officials described the citys response framework and the river-level triggers that guide protective actions. Speaker 2 said, "Downtown Mount Vernon stayed dry this week, but more importantly, Downtown Mount Vernon residents were safe." Speaker 1 detailed the criteria used to move from preparation to evacuation.

According to city officials, the Riverside Drive river gauge and factors such as saturation of nearby waterways, National Weather Service forecast confidence, expected weather and snowpack guide actions. At roughly 32 feet on the Riverside Drive gauge the city evaluates whether to prepare sandbags, water pumps and stop logs. When forecasts approach 36 to 37 feet, crews prepare additional barriers along the top of the downtown flood wall and close the Division Street bridge. Forecasts of about 39 feet or higher shift operations from floodwall work to preparing for and initiating evacuations in the 100‑year floodplain.

Speaker 1 thanked volunteers and shelter hosts, saying residents and mutual‑aid partners helped fill and place sandbags and open shelters. The city directed people needing help or wishing to volunteer to Skagit Countys flood information page: www.skagitcounty.net/flood.

City officials said crews also monitored low‑lying trouble spots such as Freeway Drive and the eastern portion of College Way and stood ready to move equipment and personnel as conditions changed. No formal action items or votes were recorded in the update.

The city reiterated that decisions follow specific thresholds and forecast confidence; officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow evacuation instructions and to check county resources for assistance and shelter information.