In a wide range of actions that include rapid levee responses, operating the Flood Warning Program, repurposing trails to assist emergency responders, preparing transfer stations for a surge in debris, and treating more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees continue to contribute to a coordinated emergency response to the historic storm.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay on Friday hosted Gov. Bob Ferguson’s press briefing at a levee along the Green River where DNRP’s Flood Patrol discovered a sinkhole that could have potentially caused the Segale Levee in Tukwila to break, threatening the nearby community. The flood patrol members – specially trained for hazardous conditions on wild rivers – immediately coordinated with King County Road Services Division to repair the levee in addition to monitoring other structures during the ongoing floods.
Crews on Monday were already onsite to begin repairing the Desimone Levee in Tukwila when a breach occurred. The rapid response was possible because the Flood Patrol had been closely monitoring that section of the Green River. It is one of several examples of DNRP crews coordinating with city, county, state, and federal agencies during the 24/7 flood response.
“Years of training, preparation, and coordination by our staff has saved lives, homes, and property,” said John Taylor, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “In the field, at our facilities, and in emergency coordination centers, our employees are working day and night to keep our neighbors safe.”
King County Parks – partnering with King County Road Services and Emergency Management, Seattle Public Utilities, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – repurposed sections of the Cedar River and Snoqualmie River trails to assist emergency responders and help residents evacuate. On the Cedar River Trail in Maple Valley, crews quickly closed the trail to pedestrians and cyclists, allowing access to emergency responders and residents when flood waters closed their only access road. When erosion made the new route hazardous, the parks crew identified and opened a new alternative route.
At Black Diamond Pump Station, Wastewater Treatment Division crews responded to heavy groundwater infiltration that overwhelmed the facility by mobilizing around-the-clock pumper trucks to transport water downstream and back into the pipe to go to South Treatment Plant in Renton, preventing a sewer overflow into a nearby lake.
Frontline operators have managed to keep the regional wastewater treatment system functioning, treating more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater over the past week.
During Friday’s press briefing along the Green River, Executive Zahilay recognized the actions of King County employees, including a wastewater treatment operator:
“When the town of Carnation suddenly transformed into an island during the flood this week, King County Wastewater Operator Tyler Stiltner kept the wastewater treatment plant running by himself from Monday through Friday morning when the floodwaters finally receded,” said Executive Zahilay. “Tyler’s inspiring act reflects the commitment of our workforce that keeps our communities safe and healthy even during historic emergencies.”
DNRP employees will continue to coordinate with other agencies during the storm response as it begins to transition to recovery. The Solid Waste Division is preparing for a high volume of debris to arrive at King County’s Recycling and Transfer Stations and is working with partners to establish debris collection sites outside of the regular facilities. King County Parks crews are assessing the impact that storm has had on parks, trails, and natural areas and will prioritize the recovery.
A sustained effort to prevent loss of life and property damage
Members of the Flood Patrol – based at DNRP’s Water and Land Resources Division – are continuing to monitor on-the-ground conditions and communicate back to the Flood Warning Center to reinforce public safety and reduce risks of property damage along the Green, White, and Cedar rivers. They have operated nonstop since Dec. 8 when the Snoqualmie and South Fork Skykomish rivers first reached flood Phase 3 of the four-tier risk level. They are also monitoring the HESCO flood barriers in Pacific, adding sandbags and reinforcements.
Staff at the Flood Warning Center – who have extensive knowledge of King County rivers and the technical skills needed to monitor rivers as they flood – are continuing to provide residents with the latest information on an emergency phone line they operate. They are also coordinating responses with cities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Department of Emergency Services, and the King County Emergency Operations Center.
DNRP – in partnership with the King County Flood Control District – has completed multiple floodplain restoration projects in recent years that simultaneously reduced flood risks and improved salmon habitat. One recent example is the successful 52-acre Riverbend restoration project along the Cedar River that better protects homes, roads, and infrastructure while providing slower, meandering side channels that are ideal for Chinook salmon.
The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks – one of the nation’s largest metropolitan environmental agencies – has a workforce of nearly 2,400 employees who restore habitat, build and operate major infrastructure that protects Puget Sound, transform waste management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and expand and enhance regional parks and trails.
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