Sims encourages residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for rising rivers

Executive recognizes October as ‘Flood Awareness Month'

2005 Archived News

Flood season arrived early in King County with a Phase Three Flood Alert for the Snoqualmie River on September 29, underscoring why King County Executive Ron Sims urges residents in floodplains to be ready for flood season.

Recognizing October as Flood Awareness Month, Sims encourages residents living in flood-prone areas to prepare for the possibility of rising rivers and streams with a personal flood-preparedness plan.

"The flooding we saw on the Snoqualmie last week is a good reminder that this is the most important time of the year to learn about flood issues in your community and take action to protect your family and property," Sims said. "We remind citizens that heavy rains and severe storms typically occur November through February, but it's not uncommon to have flooding in October and, as we witnessed last week, even in September on rare occasions."

Sims said residents should guard against complacency. "King County has been fortunate in that we haven't experienced devastating flooding in recent years, but people should remember we've had six federally-declared flood disasters in our county in the last 15 years," Sims said.

Flood preparedness includes gathering or updating emergency supplies, including: a portable radio, flashlight, fresh batteries, emergency cooking equipment, non-perishable food, drinking water, essential medications and a first aid kit. In some cases, purchasing sand and sandbags can help to protect property.

"People in flood prone areas should prepare their families -- make sure they know emergency phone numbers, identify the safest evacuation routes and establish a meeting place in case family members are separated by rising water," Sims said.

King County is home to six major river systems. As a result, many residents are directly or indirectly affected by flooding. King County is a regional leader in providing public health and safety services before, during, and after a flood.

When river levels rise to a certain threshold, King County's Flood Warning Center is opened and staffed around-the-clock to monitor river gauges, weather data, dam operations and road closures. When warranted, staff are dispatched to address safety concerns such as flooded roadways and to check on flood control facilities such as levees. King County staff mobilize and begin to gather, analyze and distribute flood warning information so that residents, businesses, property owners and emergency response officials can make important health and safety decisions. In most locations, the flood warning system provides at least two hours warning before floodwaters reach damaging levels. The center works in tandem with the county's Road Services Division to give citizens up-to-date information on road closures.

During river flooding events, King County serves as a clearinghouse for information on flood conditions, operating a recorded message center with hourly updates of river gauge readings, predicted flood crests, dam operations and other related information. The recorded message number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. When the Flood Warning Center is open, citizens can directly contact King County staff with their flooding concerns and questions by calling 206- 296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932. River gauge information is also available from the Department's Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

Questions or assistance with flooding on smaller streams or urban drainage problems can be called in to 206-296-1900 during business hours and 296-6581after hours or on weekends. For more information about King County flood warning services, a map and tips on what to do before, during and after a flood, call 206-296-8001.

In addition, King County is readying for the flood season through participation in the Regional Disaster Plan -- a system that allows agencies and businesses to coordinate their response to emergencies -- and the Regional Public Information Network (RPIN) public information online news service at www.GOVLINK.org. The service networks more than 50 participating agencies and organizations in the central Puget Sound teaming up to notify the public directly via e-mail or pager when responding to a broad range of service disruptions or emergencies.

Flood preparedness is one of a number of activities directed by the King County Flood Hazard Reduction Plan, which outlines the overall countywide strategy for reducing hazards associated with major river flooding. The Plan, which provides an overview of historic flood conditions and flood control practices in King County; identifies existing floodplain management policies and programs; recommends programmatic improvements and site-specific projects to further reduce the impact of flooding on County property owners and residents; and describes existing and potential future funding mechanisms, is currently being updated to reflect the latest conditions and technologies.

More information about the Plan can be found at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/rivers.htm.

King County's efforts to protect people and property have earned it the highest rating of any county in the United States under Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community Rating System (CRS). This recognition results in a 35 percent discount in flood insurance rates for policyholders in unincorporated King County.

For more information about how King County prepares for and responds to flooding, please visit our Flooding Topics Web site at: dnr.metrokc.gov/topics/flooding/FLDtopic.htm .