In a wide range of actions that include rapid levee responses, operating the Flood Warning Program, repurposing trails to assist emergency responders, preparing transfer stations for a surge in debris, and treating more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees continue to contribute to a coordinated emergency response to the historic storm.

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay on Friday hosted Gov. Bob Ferguson’s press briefing at a levee along the Green River where DNRP’s Flood Patrol discovered a sinkhole that could have potentially caused the Segale Levee in Tukwila to break, threatening the nearby community. The flood patrol members – specially trained for hazardous conditions on wild rivers – immediately coordinated with King County Road Services Division to repair the levee in addition to monitoring other structures during the ongoing floods.

Crews on Monday were already onsite to begin repairing the Desimone Levee in Tukwila when a breach occurred. The rapid response was possible because the Flood Patrol had been closely monitoring that section of the Green River. It is one of several examples of DNRP crews coordinating with city, county, state, and federal agencies during the 24/7 flood response. Read more.