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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. 6, 2006, 4 pm

King County Executive issues emergency proclamation due to river system flooding

Water impacting property, roads, polling places

road closed imageKing County Executive Ron Sims has issued an emergency proclamation at 3 p.m. today as a result of widespread flooding in King County and a forecast for record flooding in the region. This proclamation allows county departments to respond even more quickly to save lives and protect property, waiving normal contracting procedures and budgetary limits.

The flooding is also forcing the closure of several roads in the Snoqualmie Valley and creating potential impacts at some King County polling places for Election Day tomorrow.

Flooding

The heavy rain that continues to soak King County has pushed the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers and Issaquah Creek into Phase IV flood alert status, which means that significant flooding will occur throughout those basins. Significant additional rainfall expected over the next 24 hours will likely push river levels higher.

  • A Phase IV flood alert on the Snoqualmie River means widespread flooding and potential impacts to property. The current National Weather Service forecast for this river is 69,000 cubic feet of water per second (c.f.s.), which drastically exceeds the record of 50,000 c.f.s. set during the last major flooding event in the area in November 1990.
  • On the Tolt River, significant flooding is possible near Carnation, including the potential for levees to overtop.
  • Flows on Issaquah Creek reached Phase IV flood alert status of 1,000 cfs at 1 p.m. near Hobart. Major flooding could occur along the creek.

The King County Flood Warning Center continues to monitor river flows throughout the county and provide updates to emergency officials.

Transportation

King County road crews report several roads are closed due to flooding in unincorporated King County. Most are roads typically impacted during moderate to widespread flooding in the Snoqualmie Valley. As the rivers continue to rise, motorists should expect additional road closures in the Snoqualmie Valley over the next couple of days. Drivers are reminded never to drive around barricades or road closure signs and into standing water - this is how most lives are lost during floods.

Flooding is also creating problems at numerous arterials and residential streets throughout the county. However, residents can help minimize those impacts by removing leaves and other debris from neighborhood storm drains and catch basins. Motorists who spot problems on roads in unincorporated areas are encouraged to report them by calling 206 296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.
King County Metro Transit is also detouring some of its bus routes due to standing water and closed streets in urban areas. This may cause increased delays in the south downtown area this evening where Monday Night Football will be underway at Qwest Field starting at 5 p.m. Metro is monitoring conditions throughout King County and will adjust bus routing as necessary. For more information about road conditions, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/ on the internet.

Elections

King County Elections’ officials are monitoring the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers where rising water levels on may create challenges for voters tomorrow on Election Day. Voters who live and vote in areas around these two rivers are urged to keep their personal safety in mind when debating whether or not to travel to their polling place.
Officials will provide more information on Election Day at 6:30 a.m. on whether flooding will close the polling places below.

Affected Polling Locations:

Polling places near the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers:
River View School Dist. Office, Carnation
Fall City Elementary, Fall City
Fall City Fire Station Dist. 27, Fall City
Snoqualmie Elementary, Snoqualmie

Polling places not in danger of flooding but may have road access issues:
Stillwater Elementary, Carnation
Vincent Community Club, Carnation

While voters may not be able to vote at their assigned polling place, they still have several options to cast their ballot tomorrow.

  • Request an e-mail ballot. Voters can request a ballot at https://www.metrokc.gov/elections/absentee/onetime_email_form.htm . Voters whose requests are received by 7 p.m. will be e-mailed a ballot and affidavit to return. All ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. E-mailed ballots will be set aside to ensure the voters’ registration status.
  • Request a one-time absentee ballot in person. King County Elections will be open until 7 p.m. tonight to accommodate voters living in the affected flooding areas. Enter the King County Administration Building through the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse. Today is the last day for poll voters to request an absentee ballot.
  • Cast a provisional ballot at any polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. A list of nearby polling locations is listed below. Voters can also call the Voter Hotline at 206-296-VOTE (8683) until 7 p.m. today or between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters should download, print and bring the sample ballot to their polling place and write-in the races and candidate choices.

Learn more about your polling place ....

Real-time river level information is available online by visiting: . Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site at 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. Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932.

The King County Emergency Coordination Center (KCECC) in Renton, Washington has been activated to provide assistance for the ongoing response to the flooding. KCECC will continue to coordinate King County department response operations and assist other governments when requested.

King County Information Center staff can be reached at 206-205-1000.


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  Updated: Nov. 6, 2006