King County Road crews monitoring, responding 24/7 to flooding
Crossposted from King County Local
Road Services Division crews with the Department of Local Services have been monitoring and responding to roadways and bridge conditions in unincorporated King County throughout this historic storm.
Heavy rainfall and flooding have overwhelmed roads and bridges across the region. As Western Washington braces for another atmospheric river next week, the impacts from this week’s extreme weather are far from over.
In other words, expect continued road closures as conditions change. (At the time of this blogpost, nearly 30 roads in unincorporated King County were closed, with another three restricted, according to our MyCommute map).
Bottom line is this recovery will take time. Read more.
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King County DNRP employees continue 24/7 flood response after rapid levee repairs, repurposing trails for emergency responders, treating two billion gallons of wastewater
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.
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Stranded but steady: Operator keeps Carnation Treatment Plant running during atmospheric river
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
When a powerful atmospheric river settled over King County this week, the Snoqualmie Valley experienced some of the most significant impacts. Floodwaters quickly covered rural roads around Carnation, cutting off access to neighborhoods, farms, and the Carnation Treatment Plant.
Inside the plant, Wastewater Operator Tyler Stiltner suddenly found himself on an island. Surrounded by rising water and unable to leave, he became the only person able to keep the facility running while the storm intensified. His experience offers a firsthand look at what it means to protect public health and the environment when access disappears and the region faces the kind of flooding that only an atmospheric river can deliver. Read more.
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Discounts available for Cirque du Soleil ECHO
Experience the magic of Cirque du Soleil ECHO, where poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology come together to explore the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we all share. This 20th Big Top show offers bold new visuals, a unique aesthetic, and vibrant characters that bring a universe of color and wonder to life.
Discounts are available for performances at Marymoor Park, Jan. 30 – Mar. 15, 2026. Use this link to save up to 20% using this link for select seats/dates. VIP Packages and groups of 10+ save 25% + reduced handling fees. Contact Michael.Ciaccia@cirquedusoleil.com for more details.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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Executive Zahilay celebrates historic appointment of Rhonda Lewis as the new King County Councilmember for District 2 and appointment of Sound Transit board members
Rhonda Lewis was unanimously selected by the King County Council for an interim appointment to District 2. She becomes the first Black woman ever to serve on the Council, and creates the first majority of women in the Council’s history. At the same meeting, the Council unanimously approved Executive Zahilay’s slate of nominations to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. Read more.
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Inclement weather information for employees
With rain and flooding continuing to cause hazardous travel conditions across parts of King County, here are some resources to help you stay informed and safe on your commute.
WHERE TO GET OFFICIAL INFORMATION
- King County Emergency News: kcemergency.com
- River levels, flood conditions, and sandbag resources and distribution: flood.kingcounty.gov, or call the King County Flood Warning Center, 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263
- Road closures and travel impacts: MyCommute (King County) and WSDOT King County My Commute
- Transit service impacts: King County Metro and Sound Transit Schedules and maps – King County, Washington, kingcounty.gov.
- Emergency alerts: ALERT King County sign-up ALERT King County – King County, Washington
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Employee discounts to performances at 5th Avenue Theatre
King County employees can take advantage of a 25% discount to several upcoming performances at the famed 5th Avenue Theatre.
- Elf – The Musical: Nov. 28 – Dec. 28, 2025
- Monty Python’s Spamalot: Feb. 4 – 15, 2026
- Jesus Christ Superstar: May 2 – 17, 2026
View more information and purchase tickets here.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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Tips for traveling with King County Metro this winter season
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Winter season has arrived and King County Metro’s tools will help you stay informed so you can travel safely.
Know before you go
- Visit MetroWinter.com for tips on traveling during winter weather on bus, Access paratransit, streetcar, the King County Water Taxi or Metro Flex on-demand services. There are eight languages offered on the webpage including English, plus additional languages via the Google Translate tool.
- What’s a snow route? If buses can’t travel their regular routes due to roadway conditions, they might switch to alternate streets called snow routes. Preview snow routes for your favorite bus routes. Updates will be posted on Metro’s service advisories web page.
- Winter snow brochures are available on buses and other transit services, and include helpful travel tips and information.
- Want updates about changes to your bus route? Sign up to receive Transit Alerts via text or email for the routes and services you rely on. Already a subscriber? Review your subscriptions and make updates as we add new routes across King County.
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Bring a pet “Home for the Holidays” for just $30!
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) wants to give YOU a gift this holiday season! Now through Dec. 31, you can adopt a cat or dog from RASKC for just $30 – the cost of a King County pet license.
There are dozens of dogs, cats, and other furry friends waiting for you at the King County Pet Adoption Center, 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. You can also see all the adorable adoptable animals online anytime at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet.
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RISE “Mosaic of Us” event brings community, culture, and connection to Metro
By the RISE Leadership Team
On Dec. 3, King County employees from across the organization came together for Mosaic of Us, a vibrant community building gathering that honored the immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities who enrich our workplaces, strengthen our teams, and call King County home. Hosted by the Refugees and Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) employee resource group, the event uplifted the voices of immigrant and refugee employees and celebrated the strength of our diverse workforce.
Held at the Central/Atlantic Bus Base, the event opened with a warm welcome from Executive Girmay Zahilay, whose message centered on belonging and representation. The Executive’s presence offered encouragement during a time of growing uncertainty for immigrant and refugee communities. From shared food and storytelling to heartfelt connections, the atmosphere reflected true community. Read more.
Employee News 