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King County
Executive Office
Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711
Image: King County Exeutive Ron Sims, News Release

Nov. 9, 2006, 7:30 a.m.

King County Flood Update: Planned water releases continue

Planned water releases continue from Mud Mountain Dam maintaining elevated flows on the White River this morning. The White River remains at a Phase IV flood alert level and overnight has created lowland flooding in areas around the Pacific City Park in the town of Pacific.

Releasing water from dams on the White, Green and Cedar rivers now, will increase the flood-storage capacity behind those dams, which may be needed if the additional rainfall moves into the region later this week and into the weekend as anticipated. Planned releases from dams on the Cedar, Green and White rivers continue to keep flows elevated.

Elsewhere, flood levels continue to drop on the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers as peak flows work their way through the lower Snoqualmie Valley and high water continues to cause problems in and around flood-prone areas. In addition to the White River, flood alerts remain for the Cedar and Green, Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers, and at Issaquah Creek.

Flood patrol teams will be on patrol today to monitor flows and assess impacts to flood control structures on the Green and Cedar rivers.

Real-time river level information is available online by visiting: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm . Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site, or can visit RPIN, the area's regional Web site.

A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Help interpreting flood information is available at 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932..

Transportation

The King County Road Services Division reopened the Northeast Woodinville-Duvall Road between SR 203 and the West Snoqualmie Valley road to traffic Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. Additional roads may continue to open today throughout the area.

Despite these improvements, the King County Roads Division says it will take some time before many roads in low lying areas can be reopened, given the magnitude of flooding that has occurred. These roads will also need to be inspected for possible damage prior to reopening. Residents should continue to monitor road closure updates if they plan to travel.

The most current road closure information can be found on the web at http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/.

Residents living or traveling in flood-prone areas are reminded never to drive through standing water or around barricades; this is how most lives are lost during flooding.
Motorists who spot problems on roads in unincorporated areas are encouraged to report them by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.

Evacuations/Sheltering

One emergency shelter operated by the American Red Cross remains open in Issaquah to accommodate residents affected by the flooding. Skykomish residents are directed to available shelter assistance in Monroe. Four shelters previously opened in Kent, Renton, Bellevue and Duvall are now closed.

Open Shelters:

  • Issaquah shelter is operating at the Issaquah Community Center at 301 Rainier Boulevard South. Phone: (425) 837-3300
  • Monroe shelter is operating at the Monroe Congregational Church at 301 South Lewis. Phone: (360) 794-7601

Any citizens needing information or assistance are directed to call American Red Cross serving King and Kitsap Counties main number at (206) 323-2345.

School closures

Public Schools: Both the Snoqualmie Valley and Riverview School Districts currently plan to re-open for school today. However, residents are directed to listen to media outlets for any updated information.

Private Schools: St. Joseph of Issaquah remains closed through Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006.

Health information

In areas that received heavy flooding, receding water levels may create potential health risks for evacuated residents and others impacted by flood waters as they return home and begin cleaning up. Public Health-Seattle & King County has valuable information available to help citizens return safely to their homes.

• Seattle-King County Public Health has information on cleaning a house after a flood

• Knowing which food and medicines are safe after a flood

• Numerous resources, tips and fact sheets related to managing after a flood or disaster

Water Safety: There are more than 1,600 small shared public water systems in King County consisting of two to fourteen connections, many of which use well water. An even larger number of individual private wells operate in the county. Flooding could result in contamination of these water sources. Public Health issues a strong caution to residents living in the flooded areas where flood water has risen above the well casing to drink bottled water or boil their water until the flood waters recede and the water can be tested for harmful bacteria. The following Web sites provide helpful information:

Recovery

King County Office of Emergency Management will collect preliminary damage assessments for primary residences and businesses beginning today, 11/08/06, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and through the coming weekend. King County residents can report flood damage by calling 800-523-5044.

This information is being collected in preparation to assist Washington State in requesting federal assistance because of this disaster. Should a federal declaration be announced for this flood event, additional information will be provided on how property owners are to file claims with FEMA.

  1. Residents reporting damages should be prepared to provide the following information:
  2. the name and address of affected property
  3. a description of damage
  4. a personal estimate of uninsured losses, and
  5. estimates of the fair market value of damaged homes or businesses.

Do not report damage to detached garages and storage buildings, secondary homes or recreational homes. Orchards and crops should be reported to the local farm service representative and subsequently to the Washington state office of the federal Farm Service Agency (509-323-3000) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (360-902-1800).

The Joint Information Center can be reached at 206-205-1000.

 



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  Updated: Nov. 9, 2006