After last winter's record high waters on the Green River last winter, the risk of flooding in Tukwila and other valley cities this winter is greatly increased and almost inevitable.

A depression in the right abutment of the Howard Hanson Dam was recently discovered. The US Army Corps of Engineers, as a result, will be lessening the amount of water in the flood storage pool that the dam holds. This will raise the water level in the Green River Valley below the dam.

Tukwila's residents and commercial properties are at high risk this flood season, (which is roughly from October to March.) The potential flood risk areas run roughly from the Segale Business Park, through Southcenter, Interurban Avenue, and all the way to East Marginal Way.

King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson is chair of the King County Flood Control District.

Patterson says "the higher risk of flooding in Tukwila is due to the water seeping more rapidly through an earthen bank next to the Howard Hanson Dam after record high water last winter."

She says home owners who do not normally experience flood problems may find themselves in several feet of water.

The best way to ride out the flooding is to be prepared.

This month the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division sent out pamphlets to residents in Tukwila, Renton, Kent, Auburn, and south Seattle, detailing how to prepare for a flood.

The pamphlet says to make an emergency plan along with an emergency kit, purchase flood insurance now, purchase an inexpensive AM radio with batteries, monitor area news, listen for alerts about evacuation routes, monitor local road conditions, take medications and supplies with you, and be ready to relocate your pets and livestock.

The pamphlet also describes how to minimize flood damage to your home and lists multiple phone numbers and websites with more information.

"Residents will get as much as seven hours earlier notice of flood level water in the Green River due to the county's new policy of measuring water releases from Howard Hanson Dam rather than the level of river flows measured at Auburn," Patterson says.

Also, according to Patterson, the King County Flood Warning Center will open sooner and more flood patrol will be added.
Preparations for flooding caused by the dam will be done in coordination between the county and all cities involved.

Tukwila residents should visit http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/hhdam.html for details on what to do in the event that they experience flooding this winter.

They can also join the flood watch "e-list," which is available to anyone.