Auburn to hold community meetings for flood-prone residents, businesses

January 29, 2009 1:42 pm
The swollen Green River at Issac Evans Park rose above its banks during recent winter flooding. Repairs at Howard Hanson Dam might create an increased flood risk to portions of Auburn.
The swollen Green River at Issac Evans Park rose above its banks during recent winter flooding. Repairs at Howard Hanson Dam might create an increased flood risk to portions of Auburn.

The City of Auburn has begun a public notification process for those areas considered to be at highest risk of flooding due to the ongoing problem at Howard Hanson Dam.

Beginning today and continuing through the weekend, volunteers from the City of Auburn Emergency Management Division and the City of Auburn Police Department will be going door-to-door delivering public meeting notices for both residents and business owners.

The following information is being distributed:

• The situation at Howard Hanson dam creates an increased flood risk to portions of Auburn.

• Those portions of Auburn considered to be at the highest risk include the area bordered on the west by West Valley Highway, on the south by 22nd St. NE, on the east by Green River Road, and on the north by the City Limits. Also included are all areas immediately adjacent to the Green River, throughout the City Limits.

• The Army Corps assures us there is no risk of dam failure.

• There is no immediate risk of flooding.

• Renters, homeowners and business owners are advised to review their insurance policies for flood, water, landslide, and sinkhole coverage.

• Information on flood insurance can be obtained by contacting your insurance agent or by visiting www.floodsmart.gov.

• Residents living inside the identified area are invited to attend one of two currently scheduled public meetings at Cascade Middle School – Saturday, Feb. 7 at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Businesses are invited to attend a meeting scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at Emerald Downs.

Further questions can be directed to the City of Auburn Emergency Management Division at 253-876-1925. Information also can be found on the city’s Web site at www.auburnwa.gov/disaster.