Metro, Road Services and Water Taxi are monitoring weather and preparing for possible disruptions

Travelers in King County should prepare for possible disruptions and delays on Thursday evening and again this weekend as the region faces two consecutive storm systems forecast by the National Weather Service.

High winds and rain in the forecast might create potential travel delays, power outages and temporarily closed roads. The King County Department of Transportation recommends Metro bus and water taxi riders and people who travel unincorporated county roads monitor weather reports and connect to information available from King County, including travel alerts.

Forecasts call for increasing winds starting Thursday evening and into Friday morning. King County transportation staff also are monitoring forecasts for strong winds in the second storm system expected from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.

The combination of wind and rainfall increases the possibility of clogged storm drains and urban flooding. Sudden bursts of rainfall can temporarily make roads impassable. King County’s My Commute page is a key resource for monitoring the status of closed roads. Stay up to date with river flooding information by visiting kingcounty.gov/flood.

Regional updates will be posted on the King County Emergency blog.

Road Services crews are on rotation and available to respond to reports of blocked roadways. For your safety, never drive through standing water and respect signs marking closed roads. Call the 24/7 Roads Helpline to report road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County, such as downed stop signs, signals that are out or trees over the roadway. The 24/7 Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237 (1-800-KC-ROADS).

Metro Transit supervisors are staffing the agency’s control center and actively monitoring the forecast and changing weather conditions. They are prepared to adjust transit service if routes become blocked.

Water Taxi captains are monitoring wind conditions at three shoreside facilities as well as on the water, and communicate with Washington State Ferries at the Vashon Island ferry terminal. If wave and wind conditions are determined to not be safe for travel, crews will temporarily halt water taxi service until winds subside. Vessels not in service will utilize additional mooring lines.

Airport personnel will be monitoring airfield conditions during the period of high winds and heavy rain.

Resources for travelers