Flood Awareness Month gains urgency as potential exists for second La Nina winter

Executive Constantine, Flood District Chair Patterson urge preparedness for what could be another busy flood season in King County

If early forecasts for a second straight La Nina weather pattern hold true this winter, King County may be in for another tumultuous flood season. That’s why King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Flood District Chair Julia Patterson today, in recognizing October as Flood Awareness Month, urged valley residents to be extra vigilant in preparing for the possibility of significant flood waters.

“As we head into another winter storm season, with the prospect of a ‘double-dip’ La Niña on the horizon, it is more important than ever for communities to be prepared,” Executive Constantine said. “We encourage everyone to take the steps necessary to prepare themselves, their families and their neighborhoods for flood emergencies.”

“Preparing now, before the rain hits, is the best way for all of us to weather the storms ahead,” Chair Patterson said. “If this winter is anything like last year, it’s imperative that governments, businesses and residents in floodplains proactively take action for a highly active flood season.”

The 2010-11 flood season was one of the most active flood seasons in recent memory, with 11 separate Flood Warning Center activations covering 21 days.

Meteorologists will have a better understanding of La Nina’s wrath as winter draws nearer. As of now, the National Weather Service predicts La Nina will cause cooler than normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest along with higher than normal precipitation. Before the winter of 2010-2011, the last La Nina pattern to hit the Northwest was in the winter of 2007-2008 when I-5 through Chehalis was under water.

One way King County is preparing for the upcoming flood season, Constantine said, is by recalibrating what river levels this season will trigger flood alerts to citizens, businesses and first responders. After significant research and careful review, King County has adjusted its flood alert levels on the Cedar and Tolt rivers to more accurately reflect observed flooding impacts during high river flows. Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/warning-system.aspx to see the new changes that have been made.

Also new this year is an effort by King County to receive public feedback on its river management priorities, including projects to improve flood protection. Residents can offer feedback via an online river user survey, also at www.kingcounty.gov/rivers.

King County offers all residents and business owners access to KC Flood Alerts, a free, automated system that allows subscribers to receive customized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s six major river systems.
Immediate notifications about pending high water will come to your email, smart phone text or voicemail, providing subscribers with the maximum amount of warning about potential high water.

Find the KC Flood Alerts link at www.kingcounty.gov/flood. This website is a valuable preparedness resource, with all of the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links.

Residents in flood-prone areas are also advised to make an emergency evacuation plan and assemble an emergency kit that includes a portable battery-powered radio, flashlight, fresh batteries, cooking equipment, non-perishable food, drinking water, medications and a first aid kit. Visit http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways/makeaplan.html for more information.

• Buying flood insurance now; it takes 30 days for a policy to take effect, and a standard insurance policy will not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.
• Monitoring area news media for information if severe weather is predicted. Listen for alerts about evacuation routes, and monitor local road conditions and obey closure signs.
• Minimizing flood damage by storing valuables and electronics higher, and by moving vehicles and equipment to high ground before flood waters rise.
• Dispose of hazardous chemicals such as lawn and gardening herbicides at one of the county’s household hazardous waste sites to help reduce harmful contaminates in flood waters.

When river levels rise to designated thresholds, King County's Flood Warning Center is opened and staffed around-the-clock to monitor river gages, 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 gage 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.

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 the fifth consecutive 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 results in a 40 percent discount in flood insurance rates for policyholders in unincorporated King County, an average savings of $370 per year.

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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

Flood Warning System

Flooding services and information

King County Flood Control District

King County Water and Land Resources