If early forecasts for a second straight La Niña weather pattern hold true this winter, King County may be in for another tumultuous flood season.

That’s why King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Flood District Chair Julia Patterson today, in recognizing October as Flood Awareness Month, urged valley residents to be extra vigilant in preparing for the possibility of significant flood waters.

“As we head into another winter storm season, with the prospect of a ‘double-dip’ La Niña on the horizon, it is more important than ever for communities to be prepared,” Constantine said. “We encourage everyone to take the steps necessary to prepare themselves, their families and their neighborhoods for flood emergencies.”

“Preparing now, before the rain hits, is the best way for all of us to weather the storms ahead,” Patterson said. “If this winter is anything like last year, it’s imperative that governments, businesses and residents in floodplains proactively take action for a highly active flood season.”

The 2010-11 flood season was one of the most active flood seasons in recent memory, with 11 separate Flood Warning Center activations covering 21 days.

Meteorologists will have a better understanding of La Niña’s wrath as winter draws nearer. As of now, the National Weather Service predicts La Niña will cause cooler than normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest along with higher than normal precipitation. Before the winter of 2010-2011, the last La Niña pattern to hit the Northwest was in the winter of 2007-2008 when I-5 through Chehalis was under water.

One way King County is preparing for the upcoming flood season, Constantine said, is by recalibrating what river levels this season will trigger flood alerts to citizens, businesses and first responders. After significant research and careful review, King County has adjusted its flood alert levels on the Cedar and Tolt rivers to more accurately reflect observed flooding impacts during high river flows.

Visit /www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/warning to see the new changes that have been made.

Feedback

Also new this year is an effort by King County to receive public feedback on its river management priorities, including projects to improve flood protection. Residents can offer feedback via an online river user survey, also at www.kingcounty.gov/rivers.

King County offers all residents and business owners access to KC Flood Alerts, a free, automated system that allows subscribers to receive customized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s six major river systems.

Immediate notifications about pending high water will come to your email, smart phone text or voicemail, providing subscribers with the maximum amount of warning about potential high water.

Find the KC Flood Alerts link at www.kingcounty.gov/flood. This website is a valuable preparedness resource, with all of the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links.

Residents in flood-prone areas also are advised to make an emergency evacuation plan and assemble an emergency kit that includes a portable battery-powered radio, flashlight, fresh batteries, cooking equipment, non-perishable food, drinking water, medications and a first aid kit. Visit www.govlink.org/3days3ways/makeaplanl for more information.

Buying flood insurance now; it takes 30 days for a policy to take effect, and a standard insurance policy will not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Alerts

Monitoring area news media for information if severe weather is predicted. Listen for alerts about evacuation routes, and monitor local road conditions and obey closure signs.

Minimizing flood damage by storing valuables and electronics higher, and by moving vehicles and equipment to high ground before flood waters rise.

Dispose of hazardous chemicals such as lawn and gardening herbicides at one of the county’s household hazardous waste sites to help reduce harmful contaminates in flood waters.

When river levels rise to designated thresholds, King County’s Flood Warning Center is opened and staffed around-the-clock to monitor river gages, weather data, dam operations and road closures. When warranted, staff are dispatched to address safety concerns, such as flooded roadways, and to check on flood control facilities.

King County staff mobilize and begin to gather, analyze and distribute flood warning information so that residents, businesses, property owners and emergency response officials can make important health and safety decisions. In most locations, the flood warning system provides at least two hours warning before floodwaters reach damaging levels. The center works in tandem with the county’s Road Services Division to give citizens up-to-date information on road closures.