GreenRiverFlooding


Overview	News and Updates (Last update: 3/2011 - new information will be posted as it becomes available)
Businesses and Community Organizations	Personal and Home
Links & Resources

Photo of the Howard Hanson Dam The Howard Hanson Dam is an earthen dam located near the headwaters of the Green River in King County. The dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and went into operation in 1961 for the purpose of flood control for the Green River Valley (1).

The Corps recently completed interim repairs at the Howard Hanson Dam which reduces the risk of flooding along the Green River Valley. However, the risk is still significant (~1:60) and individuals and businesses should continue their efforts to prepare for and mitigate against the risk of flooding. Read more: News and Updates

Did you know - As little as one inch of flood water could cost several thousands of dollars to clean up, repair, and replace the contents of your home or business. As the flood season approaches it is critical that individuals, businesses and community organizations prepare for potential flooding. Take action now.

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	Prior to Flooding - Prepare and Mitigate Did you know that just one inch of water can cause costly damage to property - possibly even thousands of dollars? Mitigation is the first step toward minimizing the impact of a flood or any type of disaster. Mitigation is defined as the actions taken to eliminate or reduce long term risk to life, property, and the environment from natural and technological hazards (sometimes this may be referred to as prevention). Protect Your Employees Safely storing and purify water (PDF) Disaster Supply List (Word) Disaster Inventory Sheet (Word) Employee Contact List (Word) Discuss, plan and practice building evacuation (OSHA) Exercise and drill to evaluate plans and procedures (Word) Emergency Drill Reporting Form (Word) Ensure your employees are prepared at home All hazard personal and family preparedness information Green River Flood brochure in alternate languages (King County) Protect Your Business/Organization Insurance: Flood Market Assistance Plan (Office of the Insurance Commissioner) Insurance Discussion Form National Flood Insurance Program - NFIP (FEMA) Myths and facts about NFIP Flood Insurance FAQ's and Information (Office of the Insurance Commissioner) Flood Story - What This Business Learned (FEMA) (Video) Disaster Response Checklist Inventory Sheet Surplus Line Insurance Information Assess Your Risk: Map of potential flood inundation areas: Auburn potential flooding scenario map Kent potential flooding scenario map Renton potential flooding scenario map Tukwila potential flooding scenario map FEMA online flood maps FEMA interactive flood history map USACE flood scenario maps Green River gage information (King County) Green River real-time water data (USGS) Hazards and threats in Washington Prepare/Minimize Risk: List of key supplier/vendor information Identify critical business functions Establish a recovery location Protect vital records Users Guide to Data Protection (SMB) Dry floodproofing and other methods FEMA "How to" Flood Fight sheets Raise electrical system components (FEMA) Raise or floodproof HVAC equipment (FEMA) Sandbagging: What to do with your sandbags - sandbag recycle information (King County Solid Waste Division) Sandbag distribution locations How to effectively use sandbags (USACE) Reduce hazardous materials - Businesses (King County) Disaster-proof your business (MS Small Business Center) EMD Business Portal - Information to help you achieve disaster resilience Alerts/Communication NWS Watches, Warnings and Advisory Alerts NOAA Weather Radio in Washington NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies Emergency Alert System (EAS) Location Codes Links to local alert sign up pages: King County RPIN sign up Auburn Alert sign up and email alert sign up Kent CodeRed notification sign up and email Emer-Gram Renton CodeRed notification sign up and RPIN sign up Seattle RPIN sign up Tukwila Emergency Notification eList [Back to Top]
	During Flooding - Respond Rapid response to a flood can save lives and minimize damage to equipment and property. Ensure all employees and staff know the appropriate actions required to effectively respond to a flood event. Know the Terms The NWS issues flood and weather outlook, watches, warnings, and advisories in the effort to help protect lives and property. Watch - Get Prepared! The risk of hazardous flood or weather conditions have increased, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is uncertain. It is usually issued 12 to 48 hours prior to the potential event. A Watch is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to do so, can set emergency plans in motion. Warning - Take Action! When hazardous flood or weather conditions are occurring, are imminent, or have a very high probability of occurrence. A Warning is typically issued within 12 hours of a life or property-threatening event. Advisory - Less serious conditions that can cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property. Outlook - Heads Up! Used to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may develop 2 - 7 days from now. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event. When Flooding is Possible/Probable Monitor news reports and alert systems to ensure information related to flood stages and potential evacuation recommendations are known so the appropriate actions can quickly be completed. NWS Watches, Warnings and Advisory Alerts EMD Respond web site King County Green River web site City of Auburn City of Kent City of Renton City of Seattle City of Tukwila Deploy sandbags and other protective measures as appropriate. Prepare to circulate notices to your employees as appropriate. Prepare to evacuate employees, visitors and customers if advised. When evacuating, take critical documents and contact information. Flood Evacuation Routes More routes will be posted as they become available. We recommend being aware of multiple evacuation routes in case one route is flooded and becomes impassable. Green River Valley Flood Evacuation Routes (King County) City of Auburn: Previously designated evacuation routes are clearly marked with blue and blue and white "Volcano Evacuation" signs posted throughout the city - all of these routes lead to safer high ground. City of Kent Evacuation Routes City of Renton Evacuation Routes City of Tukwila Evacuation Routes Road Alerts: King County Road Alerts WA State Department of Transportation: Traffic Alerts Green River Valley Flood Information - Map Green River Valley Flood Information [Back to Top]
	After Flooding - Resume Resumption of 'business as normal', or recovery, includes activities undertaken after an event to return vital economic systems to minimum standards (in the short-term) and all economic systems to normal or improved levels (in the long-term). These activities can include damage assessment, data recovery, debris removal, crisis counseling, public information, reconstruction, or temporary housing. Safety Measures Return to your business location only after an *"ALL CLEAR"* has been issued by local authorities. If required, treat water of questionable purity (see page 2). Food Safety: When flooding occurs - inspect, wash and sanitize Record Damage to Your Business or Property Before entering your business after a flood check for structural damage and other hazards. Keep electricity turned off until a qualified electrician has inspected the system. When safe to do so, take pictures of damage from the flood. Notify your insurance agent of any losses and follow procedures as designated to document your losses. Have a communication process in place to notify your customers, investors, and employees of your status. Remove sandbags - store the bags and sand for future use. More Resources What to do with your sandbags - sandbag recycle information (King County Solid Waste Division) Disaster recovery information and resources Getting Back to Business (PDF) Coping with disaster OSHA Fact Sheets: Cleanup hazards Flood cleanup Downed electrical wires Tree trimming tips Dealing with mold Coping with a flood damaged car (AAA) Electrical safety fact sheet / Quick card Chainsaw safety Hiring a Contractor (LNI)

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	Prior to Flooding - Prepare and Mitigate FloodSafe Information Preventing flooding around your home There are a wide range of steps you can take around your property to reduce the impact of stormwater and even reduce the chances of floodwaters entering your home. Learn more... Why you need flood insurance Many people assume they will never need flood insurance because they believe federal disaster assistance will be available. However, flooding does not always receive a federal disaster declaration. Even when it does, aid is usually offered in the form of a loan which must be paid back with interest. *Learn more...* Myths and facts about flood insurance To clear up some misconceptions about National Flood Insurance, the NFIP has compiled the following list of common myths about the program and the real facts behind them, to give you the full story about this valuable protection. *Learn more...* Protecting your home from back flow The sewage/septic system is designed to remove sewage from a house. If flood water enters the system, the sewage can backup and enter your home. To help prevent this, install a backflow valve in the sewer line. *Learn more...* Prepare Your Loved Ones Action Plan: Action Plan - what to do (see page 2) (PDF) Update your Out-of-Area Contact cards Prepare in a Year - personal preparedness for all hazards Pet preparedness information Your pet - before, during and after a disaster (PDF) Supplies: Store essential supplies - 72-Hour Comfort Kit Prepare for extended events Food and Water: Emergency food supply - how much do you need? Food Safety - prepare for disasters and power outages Using water from your water heater during disaster (Video) Utility Safety: Utility Safety - PIY (PDF) Turning off electricity at the circuit box (Video) Turning off residential water (Video) Turning off propane (Video) Turning off natural gas (Video) Safety near downed power lines (Video) Alternate Language Resources: Green River Flood brochure in alternate languages (King County) Emergency tips for pregnant women and new mothers (King County): In English (PDF) In Russian (PDF) In Somali (PDF) In Spanish (PDF) In Vietnamese (PDF) Protect Your Home Insurance: National Flood Insurance Program - NFIP (FEMA) Myths and facts about NFIP Flood Insurance FAQ's and Information (Office of the Insurance Commissioner) Disaster Insurance - Do you need it? (NY Times) Real Flood Story (FEMA) (Video) Know Your Stuff - home inventory resource (Insurance Information Institute) The cost of flooding - interactive tool (FEMA) Interactive flood history map (FEMA) Minimize Risk: USACE flood scenario maps Wet floodproofing your home Dry floodproofing and other methods Raise your home above the flood Raise electrical system components (FEMA) FEMA "How to" Flood Fight Sheets (PDF) Sandbagging: What to do with your sandbags - sandbag recycle information (King County Solid Waste Division) How to effectively use sandbags (USACE) Sandbag Distribution Locations (King County) Reduce hazardous materials (King County) Getting Ready - Home Preparedness Be Alert NOAA Weather Radio in Washington Links to local alert sign up pages: King County RPIN sign up Auburn Alert sign up and email alert sign up Kent CodeRed notification sign up and email Emer-Gram Renton CodeRed notification sign up and RPIN sign up Seattle RPIN sign up Tukwila Emergency Notification eList [Back to Top]
	During Flooding - Respond The steps you take today can improve your safety and that of your loved ones. This is especially true for a flood event when there may be only a short time to move to a safer place. Know Where to Go If water rises or you are advised to evacuate: Move quickly to higher ground. If advised to do so, before leaving the house, turn off utilities at the main power switch (see Utility Safety links above). Take your Comfort Kit and your important documents. Do not attempt to walk across flowing streams or drive through standing water on roadways. Flood evacuation routes: Be aware of multiple evacuation routes in case one route is flooded and becomes impassable. Green River Valley Flood Evacuation Routes (King County) City of Auburn: Previously designated evacuation routes are clearly marked with blue and white "Volcano Evacuation" signs posted throughout the city - all of these routes lead to higher ground. City of Kent Evacuation Routes City of Renton Evacuation Routes City of Tukwila Evacuation Routes Green River Valley Flood Information - Map (WSDOT) If You Must Stay in Place If water rises around or in your home before you are able to evacuate: Move to a higher floor, attic, or roof. Take a cell phone with you and call for assistance. Take a battery-operated radio and listen for information. If there is time, turn off all utilities at the main power switch (see Utility Safety links above). Personal Safety Protecting food when the power goes out (see page 2) (PDF) Food Safety - prepare for disasters and power outages Using a generator during power outages Using a generator during power outages (Video) Carbon Monoxide Safety Carbon Monoxide Safety (Video) [Back to Top]
	After Flooding - Clean Up If your house, or its under-structure, has been under water from flooding, you will need to take important steps to begin recovering from the flood and cleaning up your home. Personal Safety Return to your home only after an *"ALL CLEAR"* has been issued by local authorities Water: Treat water of questionable purity (see page 2) Food Safety: When flooding occurs - inspect, wash and sanitize Mold: How to protect yourself Record Damage to Your Home or Property Before entering your home after a flood check for structural damage and other hazards. Keep electricity turned off until a qualified electrician has inspected your system. When safe to do so, take pictures or video of flood damage. Prepare a list of damaged items. See the Know Your Stuff - home inventory resource to ensure your inventory is prepared and updated before an event occurs. Call your insurance company to file a claim with your agent if you experienced damage. Pumping Out Your Basement If your basement is flooded, don’t rush to pump it out. Water in the ground outside your house is pushing against the outside of your basement walls, and the water inside is pushing right back. If you drain your basement too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside, which may cause the basement floor and the walls to crack and collapse. How to pump out a basement What to do after draining the basement Generator safety Generator safety and set up (Video) Carbon Monoxide Safety Carbon Monoxide Safety (Video) Cleaning Up and Drying Out Your Home If your house or its under-structure have been under water from flooding, you will need to take important steps to clean out bacteria and mold, and dry the building out thoroughly. What to do with your sandbags - sandbag recycle information (King County Solid Waste Division) Steps for Drying Out the House Turn off the main power. Open up the house to allow moist air to escape. Remove all wet furniture, contents and carpets or rugs. If you decide to keep some of these items they must be cleaned and disinfected. Discard all contaminated food products. Learn what to do about interior and exterior walls and floor framing. Disinfecting: Disinfect all surfaces that were soaked by flood waters with "disinfecting" or "sanitizing" products. An alternative is to use a mixture of 1/4 cup liquid chlorine bleach mixed into one gallon of water. Remove mildew using household mildew removers or fungicides. CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This will produce deadly chlorine gas! [Back to Top]