The King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors unanimously approved directing district staff to increase education, early warnings and community engagement following the devastating flash floods in Texas.
The board is composed of King County Council members. Reagan Dunn, chair of the flood control board, proposed the measure.
“Our hearts are with the residents of the Texas Hill Country as they grieve the lives lost and begin the long road to recovery,” Dunn said in a Tuesday, July 8 King County Flood Control District press release. “Their tragedy is a sobering reminder of the importance of preparedness. I deeply appreciate my board colleagues for taking swift and unanimous action today. By expanding our outreach and education efforts, we are doubling down on our commitment to help protect lives and property across King County.”
Flooding remains the most common and costly natural disaster in King County, with 29 federally declared disasters since 1956, according to the press release. Smaller flood events occur almost annually, posing significant risks to residents, infrastructure and the environment.
Six major river systems flow through King County (South Fork Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Sammamish, Cedar, Green and White Rivers) along with their significant tributaries (Tolt, Raging, Miller and Greenwater rivers). Additionally, the county has other smaller tributaries and streams, including but not limited to those with existing flood risk reduction facilities (Tokul, Kimball, Coal (Snoqualmie), Issaquah, Fifteen Mile, and Holder creeks).
The approved motion calls for immediate steps to enhance community awareness and preparedness in King County, including:
• Broadening the content of the annual Be Flood Ready brochure to include more comprehensive information about all types of flooding, including flash flooding
• Translating materials into additional languages to reach more residents
• Partnering with Community Navigators to improve distribution across vulnerable communities
• Developing and distributing a flood preparedness video via social media, King County TV, and other platforms
• Reviewing opportunities to improve early warning and alert systems
“We are holding those who’ve lost loved ones to this terrible tragedy in our hearts, and we feel the full weight of our responsibility as elected officials to prevent and prepare our communities for a similar catastrophic event in King County,” said Vice Chair Sarah Perry. “This motion renews our commitment to flood preparedness and to protecting the health and safety of our communities.”
The King County Flood Control District is a countywide special purpose district created by the King County Council in 2007 to provide flood risk reduction capital projects and programs to the residents of King County. It is funded by a county property tax.
For more information about the King County Flood Control District and its flood risk reduction projects and programs and flood preparedness efforts, visit: kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.
