King County offering free sandbags to residents on Green River’s flood-threatened middle stretch

In preparation for potential high water because of reduced flood-storage capacity at an upstream dam, farmers and other residents of the middle Green River Valley are invited to make and take home free sandbags – and free advice on how to use them – on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Flaming Geyser State Park near Auburn.

A young volunteer takes a cocoa break from sandbagging.

The sandbags will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 near the park lodge, at 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Rd. For more information, contact Karen Kinney, King County Agriculture Program, at 206263-6429; or karen.kinney@kingcounty.gov.

The sandbags and tips on their use are being provided by the King County Flood Control District, the King County Agriculture Program and the King County Agriculture Commission. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be on hand to provide advice and tips for using sandbags.

Those who are unable to attend this event can learn of additional opportunities for getting sandbags from the cities of Auburn or Kent at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/sandbag-distribution.aspx.

The right abutment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Howard Hanson Dam was damaged this past January, when the dam was holding back a record amount of floodwaters from downstream portions of the watershed, including the middle and lower Green River Valley areas.

As a result of the damage, the dam can store significantly less floodwater this year than in past years, increasing the likelihood that the flood-control facility will have to release more water than the river channel can accommodate, and lead to flooding.

King County, federal agencies, local cities and other government organizations have taken numerous steps in response to the heightened threat of flooding, including strengthening flood-protection structures, holding several informational public meetings and contacting Green River Valley residents with information ranging from how to purchase flood insurance, to how pet and livestock owners can help protect their families and animals.

Additionally, local search-and-rescue personnel have gone door-to-door in the middle Green River Valley to provide area residents with updated flood information.

King County has created a Web site with additional information about potential Green River Valley flooding, at http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/FloodPlan/GreenRiverValley.aspx.

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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. Information is available at http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/.

Related information

Sandbag distribution information

Flood preparation for the Green River Valley

King County Flood Control District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

King county Water and Land Resources