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King County
Executive Office
Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711
Image: King County Exeutive Ron Sims, News Release

Dec. 3, 2007

Motorists told to steer clear of flooded roads

With rain expected to continue overnight, King County’s Department of Transportation (KCDOT) is reminding motorists not to underestimate potentially treacherous road conditions associated with widespread flooding in many areas.

Motorists cannot always rely on visual indicators to determine the condition of a roadway under water. Standing water could be deeper than it appears, or there could be a sink hole or other hidden hazards.

According to the National Weather Service, nearly 60 percent of all flood-related deaths are the result of people driving onto flooded roadways. It only takes six inches of rapidly rushing water to knock over an adult, and just two feet of rushing water can carry away a pickup or an SUV.

If you must drive in areas impacted by local or river flooding, never to drive around barricades or road closure signs, and don’t drive into standing water, even if you see another motorist appear to do so safely.

Motorists are urged to familiarize themselves with some basic winter driving tips, including:

  • Allow ample time to reach your destination.
  • If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible and walk safety in the direction you came from.
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes, as shortcuts may be blocked.
  • Do not drive where water is over the road or past barricaded road signs.

Motorists who spot problems on roads maintained by King County are encouraged to report them by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC ROADS. King County will also issue road alerts and other updated information on King County’s Web site at www.kingcounty.gov, King County Department of Transportation’s Web site at www.kingcounty.gov/kcdot and regional alerts via the Regional Public Information Network at www.RPIN.org. Residents can also monitor near real-time flood data for rivers in King County by going to: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/flood.htm.

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  Updated: Dec. 7, 2007