Summary

Stockpiling of sandbags and interagency coordination among the proposals

Story

At the Metropolitan King County Council’s Town Hall meeting Wednesday in Carnation, Councilmember Kathy Lambert will unveil two flood response proposals she is co-sponsoring to help flood-prone communities limit damage and speed recovery.

January’s severe flooding caused by heavy rains and fast-melting snow highlighted the need for coordination of resources and communications to better protect communities, said Councilmember Lambert, who represents the hard-hit Snoqualmie Valley. The proposals would make sandbagging materials and equipment available, and initiate a leadership role for King County in coordinating response efforts by local, county, state and federal agencies.

“I had the opportunity to tour flooded areas and talk with people who lost their homes in the most recent flood event,” said Councilmember Lambert. “Economic losses from businesses being closed also means a corresponding loss of tax revenue for our cities and the county, so this plan to provide sandbags and needed resources to coordinate responses will benefit the public.”

One proposal directs the King County Water and Land Resources Division to develop a plan for creating a stockpile of materials for sandbagging at multiple locations in each of King County’s three watersheds, and to provide sandbag materials to the public free of charge. The deadline for submitting the plan to the Council for approval is May 31, 2009.

Also due by that date would be recommendations from the King County Executive about how to improve coordination and communication of actions that may affect the occurrence or severity of flood events. Both proposals will be introduced at the next meeting of the King County Council.

Citizens will have an opportunity to comment about the county’s response to the flooding, as well as the December snow emergency, and to make their own suggestions about handling severe winter weather events at the Town Hall meeting:

Wednesday, Feb. 11
6 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. meeting
Tolt Middle School Multipurpose Room
3740 Tolt Ave. , Carnation

Residents who still are cleaning up after the January floods are reminded that vouchers for free disposal of flood debris still are available through Feb. 26. For more information about obtaining a free disposal voucher for use at any King County Solid Waste Division transfer station, call (206) 296-4466.