Dear Unincorporated Area News subscribers:

Heavy rains and wind are forecasted for Western Washington this week, and there’s a risk of flooding in many parts of unincorporated King County. We are sharing this critical information for you, your family, and your neighbors.

The King County Flood Warning Center anticipates flooding will occur in areas along the Snoqualmie, South Fork Skykomish, and Green rivers,  and could affect other rivers. River gauge data can be found here. For the latest flood phase information, visit kingcounty.gov/flood.

High winds and soggy soil could also bring trees down, causing power outages and road closures. And heavy rains also bring the risk of landslides. Sign up for emergency alerts and find updates on this developing weather event at kcemergency.com.

Sandbags are available

  • Sandbags are available for filling for free at several locations in King County. For more information, visit kingcounty.gov/sandbags or call 206-477-4812 (language interpretation available).

Stay safe and remember to:

  • Never walk or drive over flooded roads or standing water. For more information, visit the National Weather Service’s Turn Around Don’t Drown page.
  • Contact the 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 if you see something on the road. For the most up-to-date information on road closures and lane restrictions in unincorporated King County, visit the MyCommute page (kingcounty.gov/MyCommute).
  • Avoid touching flood water, which can have sewage and other chemicals. Wash hands and pets after any contact with flood water. Throw out any food from gardens that have touched flood water.
  • Wear gloves, goggles, an N95 mask, and protective gear when cleaning after a flood to protect from cuts, sewage, mold, and other health risks.
  • Have a septic system? Don't use the system during a flood, visit https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/septic-system/floods for tips on how to manage sewage impacts.

Landslides

Landslides are an increasing threat as hillsides become saturated with water. The King County Office of Emergency Management offers these signs of an impending landslide:

  • Bulging ground at the base of a slope
  • Outside walls, walkways, or stairs pulling away from structures
  • Widening cracks in the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways
  • New cracks appearing in plaster, tile, brick, or foundations
  • Water breaking through the ground in new locations
  • Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilting or moving

Visit kingcounty.gov/landslide for more information.

Power outages

If you experience a power outage, you can contact your provider by going to:

Downed trees (not on a road in unincorporated King County)

  • If the downed tree is on a power line, report to power company or call 911. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or SPU at SPU at 206-684-3000.
  • If the downed tree is on private property, it is the property owner’s responsibility.
  • If the tree has fallen from King County property onto or blocking private property, customers can file a claim with King County.

The following resources, available in multiple languages, may also be helpfu:

  • The Be Flood Ready brochure has information about what to do before, during, and after a flood. (King County Flood Control District)
  • Flood recovery resources, organized in two sections: 'Health and safety after a flood' and 'Cleaning up after a flood.' In-language materials are available on this website in Khmer, Spanish, and Vietnamese. (Public Health-Seattle and King County)

Thank you for reading and sharing this information and helping to keep our community safe!

Why did I receive this?

You received this message because you subscribe to King County's Unincorporated Area News e-newsletter. If you have questions, please contact the King County Department of Local Services at [email protected] or 206-477-3800.

.