King County closed its Flood Warning Center at 12 noon Friday as flows stabilized on the Green River, where controlled water releases from a dam brought water levels up to a minor Phase II flood alert level.
The Flood Warning Center opened at 4 p.m. on Thursday to closely monitor conditions on the Green River, which saw increased flows overnight as a result of planned releases from Howard Hanson Dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ flood-control dam in the upper Green River watershed. Releasing water from the dam created additional flood-storage capacity in the reservoir.
King County staff will continue to monitor stream gages and weather reports, and will provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/flood.
Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County website at www.kingcounty.gov, or via RPIN, the area’s regional website at www.rpin.org. A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263.
Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.
An automated flood alert system is now available and provides real-time warning of potential high water on more than a half-dozen rivers. King County residents and business owners can sign up to receive King County Flood Alerts by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/flood, or by calling 206-263-3400 during regular business hours to register by phone. Messages of potential high flows on any of King County’s major river systems can be sent by phone, text or email.
