News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  Dec. 3, 2007 - 3:30 p.m.

ROAD ALERT SPOTLIGHT

King County's afternoon commute promises to be soggy and slow-going

While the Puget Sound region is beginning to see a few breaks in the heavy rain, this afternoon's commute home promises to be as slow and potentially unpredictable as this morning's.
 
Prolonged heavy rain has caused a variety of travel problems today, from mudslides to road closures in flood-prone areas of the Snoqualmie Valley. By mid-afternoon, the county reported well over a dozen roads closed - a number that will likely continue to climb due to flooding along the Snoqualmie River. 
 
Moderate flooding along the Snoqualmie is already prompted closures.  As the high water makes its way downstream, residents from Carnation to Duvall will also be impacted.
 
Mudslides have also been on the county's menu of storm-related problems. The most serious slides have occurred at Northeast 172nd Street at 152nd Place near Woodinville and at the intersection of Jones Road and 196th Avenue Southeast near Renton. roadway. Clean-up efforts cannot even begin until the rain subsides and the hillsides stabilize. 
 
If you must drive in areas impacted by local or river flooding, you are reminded never to drive around barricades or road closure signs and into standing water.
 
While the weather forecast calls for some improvement, the Road Services Division will have crews patrolling King County roads throughout the night.  In addition to opening and closing roads, as necessary, those crews will be on the lookout for problems that may impact the morning commute.
 
Motorists who spot problems on roads maintained by King County are encouraged to report road problems by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC ROADS.  Road alerts and other updated information will also be posted on King County’s Web site, King County Department of Transportation’s Web site, and regional alerts via the Regional Public Information Network.