Leaders stress that now is the time to plan for rising water in flood-prone areas
While urging residents to prepare, local governments highlight ‘best in nation’ floodplain management and aggressive levee repair efforts
Recognizing October as "Flood Awareness Month," King County Flood Control District Board Members Julia Patterson and Reagan Dunn and King County Executive Ron Sims today urged residents living in flood-prone areas to prepare for the possibility of rising rivers and streams with a personal flood-preparedness plan.
"King County has experienced 10 federally-declared flood disasters since 1990, so we know the possibility of serious flooding may be as close as the next big storm,” Patterson said. “The hurricanes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts are a vivid reminder of what flooding can do to people’s lives and property. So it’s important that our floodplain residents take steps now to ensure their families are safe during flood season.”
Dunn echoed Patterson’s call for residents to make emergency preparations now. He said King County residents can also rest a little easier knowing the King County Flood Control District has been making progress addressing a backlog of levee repair work.
“We believe it isn’t a question of if there will be another major flooding event, but when it will occur,” said Dunn. “Citizens need to take personal responsibility to keep their families safe, but we also want them to know the King County Flood Control District and King County staff are working hard on their behalf to protect people, property and the region’s economy from the devastation that flooding can bring.”
Nearly 25 capital improvement projects will be completed this year to protect lives and property in King County from flood damage with funding from the King County Flood Control District. The Flood District was created to bring a comprehensive approach to flood management and to provide funding to improve the county’s aging and inadequate flood protection facilities. The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks carries out the approved flood protection projects and programs.
Sims pointed out that for the second straight year 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. This recognition results in a 40 percent discount in flood insurance rates for policyholders in unincorporated King County, an average savings of $370 per year.
“King County has been a regional leader in providing public health and safety services before, during and after a flood,” Sims said. “We are also asking county residents to do their part. They need to have updated emergency phone numbers, identify safe evacuation routes and set a meeting place in case family members are separated by rising water. Safety is the first priority and having plans in place can mean the difference between life and death.”
To prepare for flooding, residents in flood-prone areas should gather 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, a handy supply of sandbags can help to protect property.
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.
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://www.kingcounty.gov/flood.
Questions or assistance with flooding on smaller streams or urban drainage problems can be called in to 206-296-1900 during business hours, or 206-296-8100 after 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 206-296-6581.
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 the King County Flood Control District prepares for and responds to flooding, visit the Flooding Topics Web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/flood.
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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County. The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs.
Related Information
King County Flood Control Zone District