Flooding cuts off residents in East King County

Levee upgrades, farm pads keeping residents and animals safer this year

Levees across King County are holding the significant flows that have hit the region over the past 48 hours, although King County Flood Crews have not been able to reach the levee in Maple Valley to assess its condition.

King County lead an upgrade of the levees last year, along with the installation of elevated farm pads in rural areas to provide high ground where livestock, equipment, supplies and other items can safely be placed during flooding. Aerial surveys of the Snoqualmie Valley confirmed that many of the farm pads were performing as planned.

The King County Flood Warning Center is reporting that the Cedar River remains at a dangerous Phase IV flood alert level, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to schedule controlled releases of the Howard Hanson and Mud Mountain dams through Saturday to gradually release excess water, which will impact flows of the Green and White rivers, respectively.

So far, the most significant flood impacts for residents in King County appear to be:

• the east-west road closures across the Carnation Valley at 124th and Woodinville-Duvall Road have cut access to the City of Carnation for residents there,
• An estimated 6,000 structures (including 5,000 single family homes) isolated due to flood waters or landslides in the area from Duvall in the north to Maple Valley in the south and from Lake Sammamish to Snoqualmie Pass in the east. A request has been made for military vehicles to assist with emergency rescues needs, if needed. Eastside Fire and Rescue is responding.
• Several sections of the City of Snoqualmie are reportedly without power. The number of affected homes is not known at this time.

In addition, the Tokul bridge at Fish Hatchery Road north of Snoqualmie is closed. The closure affects six homes and emergency fire, search and rescue crews are working on a solution.

The King County Sheriff's Office is also coordinating with local fire departments on rescue missions to assist several residents in Maple Valley, Snoqualmie and Carnation being affected by floodwaters or unstable land.

RoadsKing County Roads crews report more than 40 road closures in King County due to river flooding, mudslides and urban runoff. The Woodinville-Duvall Road and Northeast 124th Street into the lower Snoqualmie Valley may not reopen until tomorrow. Other more severely impacted roadways may not open for days. In addition, sections of the Maple Valley Highway are closed, as are State Route202 and 203 in the Snoqualmie Valley due to water over the roadway.

More than a dozen Metro Transit bus routes are also disrupted by flooding and landslides in Seattle, Duvall, Carnation, Fall City, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Issaquah, May Valley, Maple Valley, and Kent. Updated route information is available on Metro Online or by calling (206) 553-3000.

Shelters

• The temporary warming center located at Cascade View Elementary School in Snoqualmie Ridge has closed.
• Carnation closed its shelter at the Tolt Congregational Church, 4851 Tolt Avenue closed at 3 p.m. due to lack of need.
• The regional dormitory shelter, run by American Red Cross, is being hosted at St Matthew's Lutheran Church at 1700 Edmonds Avenue NE, Renton. It's open to anyone in need (100+ capacity) through at least this Saturday; the Soup Ladies will be serving meals all day tomorrow.
• King County Water and Land Resources Division staff also continue to encourage and assist with evacuations for residents Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park near Maple Valley. Evacuations began yesterday in the park, which is adjacent to the Cedar River and experiencing major flooding. King County staff coordinated with staff from Renton Parks to set up an emergency shelter at a local church for the residents and enlist the help of a translator to help the Spanish speaking residents.  County staff also mobilized sand and sandbags to protect the mobile home park’s well and water treatment shed to ensure that the residents have clean, safe drinking water when residents are able to return home.

Rising flood waters increase risks for residents who rely on septic systems for sanitation. Information about septic tank system safety during power outages or floods can be found the Public Health - Seattle & King County website.

Earlier today, King County Executive Ron Sims signed a Local Proclamation of Emergency to help county staff continue their quick response to damage. A gallery of flood-related images from around the county is available online.

For more information about flood conditions, resources, and safety tips, visit www.takewinterbystorm.org or call King County Office of Emergency Management at 206-296-3830.