Getting timely, accurate information in an emergency or inclement weather event is critical.  Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information on how you are affected, at work and at home:  

• Sign up for KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free, and your personal contact information is secure and protected. To sign up, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov anytime or 206-296-3830 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website to learn more or watch our short video.   
• Call the Employee Hotline: 206-205-8600 (save it to your phone now!). 
• Check your King County email for information on business operations, delays, and closures. Log on at http://outlook.kingcounty.gov. Some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff. 
• Contact your supervisor for specific instructions. 
• Visit the Emergency News page at kcemergency.com for regional impacts. 

Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite. 

HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from reporting on time, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. You may request leave, subject to approval by your supervisor. If you have no leave accrued, your supervisor may approve leave without pay to cover absences. Sick leave may not be used. Refer to HR Bulletin 2011-0009 County Operations During Emergency Situations and Inclement Weather (Sheriff’s Office employees refer to KCSO Inclement Weather Policy; Superior Court and District Court employees please see check court policies).  

Resources for travelers 

• Metro: Visit MetroWinter.com and Eye on Your Metro Commute, and sign up for Metro Transit Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kingcountymetro and @kcmetroalerts, see RSS feed via desktop or mobile RSS reader) 
• Roads: Visit Roads’ Snow and Ice resources and sign up for King County Road Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kcroads) 
• Water Taxi: Sign up for King County Water Taxi Alerts (text, email). 

Prepare at home: Taking a few steps now to plan ahead will give you peace of mind and help you make good decisions in an emergency.  

• There are many online resources that you can use to make sure you and your family have what you need to Make it Through an emergency – from an extended power outage to a more severe event. Please take personal preparedness seriously.  
• If your child is attending school or daycare in-person, learn about their school or daycare policies and procedures for possible early release and facility closures.  
• Locate flashlights, radio, and extra batteries should you experience a power outage at home.  
• Store non-perishable meals for your family that don’t require a stove-top, microwave, or oven to prepare, and keep plenty of bottled water on hand.  
• Make sure pets have appropriate shelter to stay warm and safe.  
• Get more tips, utility contacts, and weather preparedness checklists at www.takewinterbystorm.org.   
• Always have a plan if you need to commute in inclement weather, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making travel decisions.