King County ready to protect people, property from floodwaters

With more rain forecast for the region over the next week, King County Executive Ron Sims said county staff are on standby to respond to possible flooding and encouraged residents living in flood-prone areas to prepare.

"This period of extended rain is a good reminder that flood season is here. We are keeping an eye on river levels and preparing to deal with whatever Mother Nature serves up over the coming days," Sims said, noting that the National Weather Service is forecasting rain through the next seven days. "It's also important for citizens who live in flood-prone areas to be prepared for potential flooding by creating a flood plan."

Sims said a flood plan should include updating their emergency phone numbers, identifying safe evacuation routes and establishing a meeting place where family members can meet if they are separated by rising water.

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. The center works in tandem with the King County 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 206-296-6581after 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 206-296-6519.

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 online news service at www.GOVLINK.org.

The service networks more than 50 participating agencies and organizations together to notify the public directly via e-mail or pager in response to a broad range of service disruptions or emergencies.

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.