Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert announced today that she will host several Town Hall meetings to receive public comment and suggestions about coordination of responses from all groups and agencies to this month’s devastating windstorm damage.

A Town Hall meeting will be conducted next week in one of the hardest-hit areas of Northeast King County where some residents were without power for more than a week:

• Woodinville – Saturday, Jan. 6, 1-2:30 p.m., Woodinville Community Center gymnasium, Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Ave. NE

An additional meeting may be scheduled later before the King County Council at the County Courthouse Council Chambers.

“During the past few days, I have heard from hundreds of residents affected by this disaster about things that could have been done differently,” said Councilmember Lambert. “Effective communication about the status of the emergency response and resources available has been the top issue among my constituents. Their experiences will be very helpful in informing efforts to improve emergency response plans among government agencies, utilities and private companies.”

The Town Hall meetings will include information from representatives of the King County Emergency Management Office, the King County Road Services Division and Puget Sound Energy. Participants will have an opportunity to provide their comments and suggestions about emergency response efforts and ask questions as well.

“It is heartening to see how families and neighbors have helped each other and worked together to keep each other safe and warm during this emergency,” said Councilmember Lambert. “My goal with these town hall meetings is to use this windstorm event as a learning experience to make sure that the response efforts of government agencies and utilities are coordinated as efficiently as possible in the future.”