KENT, Wash. – March 17, 2010 – The City of Kent urges residents to put all of that sand to good use with spring fever in the air. With March 30 marking the official end of the 2009-2010 flood season, people are beginning to look for ways to get rid of their sandbags for the summer. While the sandbags won’t last until the next flood season, there are ways residents can save the sand for fall or use it for gardening and home improvement projects.

“The best thing people can do is place a plastic covering in a corner of their yard or garage and empty the sand there,” says Greg Reed, Utilities Superintendent with the Public Works Department. “If they cover the sand pile with plastic, they’ll have their own personal sandbag filling station for the new sandbags we’ll pass out come fall.”

How to use the leftover sand:

• Aerate lawns and spread sand to help improve drainage
• Fill in low spots in the lawn, cover with grass seed for a green and level lawn
• Mix with garden or potting soil to promote good drainage for plants and flowers
• Use as the base for brick or stone walkway projects

For residents unable to keep the sand onsite through the summer, the City will collect the sand and sandbags each Saturday in April from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the following locations in Kent:

• Home Depot, 26120 104^th Ave. SE
• Grandview Park, 3600 S. 228^th St.

Assistance is available for those who need it by calling the Service Clubs Volunteer Hotline at 206-755-4814 or by email at kentserviceclubs@yahoo.com. Kent Sunrise Rotary, Rotary Club of Kent, Kent Meridian Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Club of Kent, Kent Lions, Soroptimist International of Kent and Quota International of Kent Valley have all come together to serve as volunteer coordinators to help those who are physically unable to move sandbags.

Businesses are not allowed to dump sand at these sites, but they can find additional resources and potential disposal sites at www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans.   Residents of other cities or unincorporated King County should contact their local emergency management office for sandbag disposal options in their area.

Whichever method residents choose, it is important that the sand is properly disposed of. It is illegal to dump sand or litter in wetlands, rivers, creeks and drains. Doing so can impact drinking water and damage fish and wildlife habitat. For more information, contact the City of Kent Public Works Department at 253-856-5500.

The City of Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, Washington with a population of 88,380. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s dynamic quality of life features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing.  Visit www.choosekent.com.

It’s here!  Severe weather in Washington during this time of the year often increases the possibility of hazards such as flooding. Planning in advance and implementing a flood fight plan will help protect your employees, assets and property and reduce your risk.

Attend this free workshop and learn the latest details about flood safety and the efforts underway to reduce the risk to people, property, businesses and tribal lands during this storm season.  Learn how designing and planning a flood fight plan can reduce the severity of damage from flooding.

Date:  Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Time:  1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location:  King County Office of Emergency Management, 3511 NE 2nd St., Renton, WA

Questions?  Contact Wendy Freitag, WA Emergency Management Division, w.freitag@emd.wa.gov, 253.512.7308

Sponsored by:

Washington State Emergency Management Division
King County Office of Emergency Management
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

In a story in the Kent Reporter dated November 5 by reporter Steve Hunter, the community learned that the flood risk for the Howard Hanson Dam has dropped dramatically from early predictions. According to the article, a recent fix to the dam dropped the Green River Valley’s chance of flooding from a 1 in 3 chance to 1 in 32. Compared to the 1 in 140 chance offered by an undamaged dam, this risk is dramatically reduced, but a high risk of flooding still exists.

Read the full story here.

Thanks to the Kent Downtown Partnership for sharing this story.

From the City of Kent

November 4, 2009 – Kent service clubs are taking the lead to match volunteers with those who need help preparing for potential flooding. Residents can now call or email for help with filling and placing sandbags at their homes.

Kent Sunrise Rotary, Rotary Club of Kent, Kent Meridian Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Club of Kent, Kent Lions, Soroptimist International of Kent and Quota International of Kent Valley have all come together to serve as volunteer coordinators.

According to Kent’s Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson, there has been a outpouring of support from local residents and church groups wanting to know how they can help.

“The free sandbags have been a huge benefit for residents, but some people need help getting them” said Johnson. “Some just aren’t physically able to shovel sand or move sandbags. The local service clubs matching these people up with volunteers will be an outstanding help for everyone.”

Residents needing help with sandbags, or people willing to volunteer, can leave a message on the service club hotline at 206-755-4814 or by email at kentserviceclubs@yahoo.com.  Interested parties can also follow the service clubs on Twitter at twitter.com/SandbagsKentWA.

The Kent Valley is facing a higher risk of flooding this winter due to water seeping more rapidly through an earthen bank next to the Howard Hanson Dam after record high water last winter. Until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can make repairs, it must limit the amount of flood water it stores behind the dam.

Throughout this election season, I have attempted to remain neutral on iLoveKent.net. As a journalist who holds herself closely to the SPJ Code of Ethics, I felt it was important to present both sides fairly which I have done. I have also refrained from stating my personal opinion regarding who I am supporting in the Kent mayoral election. Those who know me well know that I made my vote without reservation.

Before I continue, let me disclose my relationships with both Mayor Suzette Cooke and mayoral candidate and KSD school board president Jim Berrios. I used to be a contractor for the city. I am no longer working with the city on projects, but I frequently interview city officials and employees for articles for publication. I have also interviewed Jim Berrios  for several stories I’ve written for publication, one local publication and a trade publication for the newspaper advertising industry.

Without divulging my personal choice for mayor, I ask you to consider the following when casting your vote (if you have not already done so):

• Each candidate’s record of service to the community:   Mayor Suzette Cooke as our mayor for the last four years with numerous community and governmental achievements, and Jim Berrios as a community volunteer, business owner and president of the KSD school board.

• Each candidate’s behavior during the campaign. Did your preferred candidate conduct him or herself honorably, focusing on the issues (e.g., budget, flooding, economy) rather than minutia?

• When faced with difficult decisions like how to handle flooding, manage transportation issues, boost our economy and settle the school district strike, did your candidate act in the community’s best interests?

• Does your candidate of choice have a plan for the next four years? If so, do you understand and agree with it?

• Is his or her campaign platform clear and does it benefit the community at large, or primarily special interest groups?

• Do you have any reservations whatsoever about your candidate’s loyalty?

As you consider these items, I ask you to also consider the media coverage and debates that have taken place. There has been a fair amount of mudslinging and the race has gotten ugly in some instances. From where I sit, that mud is coming from one side more than the other, however. That tells me a lot about the integrity of the candidates and how I can expect them to represent me and the City of Kent into the future.

I invite anyone to comment on the mayoral candidates and how they have (or have made) their choice for mayor of Kent.

Thanks for listening,

Complimentary Sand and Sandbags Available for Kent Residents
Beginning October 15

KENT, Wash. – October 14, 2009 – The City of Kent will begin making complimentary sand and sandbags available to Kent residents beginning Thursday, October 15. Empty sandbags, along with instructions for proper filling and placement, will be available for pick up at the City’s Operations facility located at 5821 West James Street at the following dates and times:

* Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
* Saturdays (10/17, 10/24 and 10/31 only): 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Once residents have their empty sandbags, they can fill them at one of the following sandbag filling stations during daylight hours only.  Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.

* Old Panther Lake Elementary Site, 20831 108th Ave. SE
* Earthworks Park, 742 E. Titus St.
* Home Depot, 26120 104th Ave. SE
* Totem Middle School, 26630 40th Ave. S.
* Grandview Park, 3600 S. 228th St.
*East Hill Fred Meyer, 10201 SE 240th St.

Residents will be limited to 100 bags per household.  For more information, contact the City of Kent Public Works Department at 253-856-5600.

Contact: Bob Ferguson 206-296-1001
bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov

September 16, 2009

Council briefed on cooperation, evacuation, recovery and
mitigation in Green River flood zone

Committee hears details of federal and state agencies working with communities in the path of potential flooding from federal Howard Hanson Dam

A rapid response was promised today by representatives of the state and federal governments, as they briefed members of a Metropolitan King County Council committee on intensive preparations already underway in advance of the potential release of water from the storm-damaged, federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam that could inundate the Green River Valley.

Jim Mullen, Director of the state Emergency Management Division, told members of the Committee of the Whole that his agency and the state’s Military Department are already offering training and preparedness workshops to threatened communities, as well as preparing shelter and mitigation plans.

Mullen said the state’s assistance involves several state agencies, from the Department of Transportation’s preparation of evacuation routes and search and rescue plans to the Department of Social and Health Services arrangement of assistance for those with special needs who are displaced by flooding. Other state agencies involved range from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Health to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which would assist in identifying personnel and equipment for swift water rescue.

“I am concerned that the state has not identified what gaps exist in flood preparations for this region,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, chair of the Council’s Committee of the Whole. “They have assured us that these gaps will be identified shortly and I look forward to receiving their report.”

“Flooding in south King County could impact transportation corridors throughout the Puget Sound region,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson.  “Evacuating thousands of people from the Green River Valley, along with shifting transportations routes for those who depend on State Route 167 everyday, will push I-5 to the limit. We must take every step necessary to ensure people can safely evacuate the Valley.”

Emergency officials acknowledged that while they will assist the County in several aspects of flood preparation, King County will have the primary responsibility for setting up shelters for displaced residents.

Lon Biasco, Division X Director of Disaster Operations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told the committee that FEMA is not a first responder, but rather an agency that supports and coordinates federal response through state officials who come to FEMA with specific needs. For example, he said FEMA is now assisting with locating generators to keep the County’s South Treatment Plant operating to process wastewater in the event of a flood-related power failure.

“As we prepare for the real possibility that communities will need to be evacuated, it is vital that the agencies responsible for responding all be on the same page,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “Today’s briefing is reassuring in the fact that local, county, state and federal agencies are already preparing plans for something we all hope won’t be needed.”

“Today’s briefing is an example of the necessary dialogue that must continue between all levels of government as the Green River Valley region prepares for possible flooding,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.  “These coordinated partnerships will assure the residents and businesses of the region that every angle is being looked at in order to prepare, react and recover from flood waters.”

Mark Carey, FEMA’s Mitigation Division Director for Division X, praised King County for being rated by his agency as the second most-prepared community in the nation in the ability to manage flood risk — from early warning to flood fighting to levee maintenance. He said FEMA’s mitigation responsibility locally will be to:

·       Analyze risk: Carey told members that according to their scenarios, the potential property and economic loss from major flooding in the Green River Valley could go as high as $4 billion.

·       Reduce risk: The agency has been providing technical assistance and is prepared to provide financial assistance where needed, primarily through grants which would be administered and prioritized by the state. Carey said up to $14 million would be available to assist with mitigation.

·       Insure for risk: FEMA administers the national flood insurance program, and Carey said it is committed to helping raise the amount of flood insurance purchased by Green River Valley residents.

“Coordinated emergency preparedness efforts for potential flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam are underway and will protect lives if flooding occurs,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “But these emergency preparations don’t let the federal government off the hook from doing everything possible to speed up a permanent repair to the dam so that people and property in the flood zone are properly protected.”

“It’s impossible to predict whether the floodwaters will come, but the county and the Green River Valley cities will continue to work with state and federal agencies to be ready for all possibilities,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “No matter what the future holds, we will do our best to be prepared.”

Both the state and federal officials stressed that preparation is the best weapon in advance of floods, and encouraged community outreach efforts on the preparation of evacuation kits, discussion of where to go in case of flooding, and the purchase of flood insurance.

The Army Corps of Engineers discovered the problem with the earthen abutment next to the dam after January’s record rain. According to the Army Corps a temporary fix to inject grout into the earthen material to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity will be limited until the repair can be tested next spring. A long-term fix could take the federal government three to five years and hundreds of millions of dollars.

Further briefings on the federal Howard Hanson Dam flood threat will be heard in Committee of the Whole. The County is hosting a series of public meetings on the Howard Hanson flood threat. For information on the meetings, click here.

See the PowerPoint presentation on state planning efforts

Visit the Web portal for King County’s flood planning

King County is advising residents of the Green River Valley area to prepare for possible flooding this fall. On their list of “to dos”:

1.  Make an emergency plan and an emergency kit.

2.  Buy flood insurance now. It takes 30 days to become active. Check with your local property & casualty insurance agent* for a quote.

3.  Purchase an AM or emergency radio that runs on batteries.

4.  Monitor news media for severe weather.

5.  Listen for evacuation alerts and be aware of evacuation routes near you.

6.  Monitor local road conditions and obey road closure signs.

7.  Take medications and medical supplies with you.

8.  Be prepared to relocate pets, livestock and other animals.

9.  Minimize flood damage.

For more information and tips on how to prepare for a flood, visit the King County website.

*Some local agents with knowledge about flood insurance include:    Patti Jenson, Allstate (Maple Valley); Rob Jones, Farmers Insurance; Doug Jones, State Farm; and Rod Saalfed, Bell-Anderson Insurance.

[Note:  There are other agents throughout the Green River Valley area who will also be able to provide a quote on flood insurance. This list is not all inclusive and not meant to endorse any of the listed agents.]