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Alert crews save lives, property during flooding
“One of my acting crew chiefs called me at home and said ‘Tony, this bridge in Upper Preston doesn’t look right. I think we should close it, but I don’t want to cut people off. I need you to check it out.’ “ Knowing how experienced his people are when it comes to county roads and bridges, Ledbetter didn’t wait. He told the crew chief to close the bridge and then he hopped in his car to see it for himself. When Ledbetter got to the scene on Upper Preston Road during the early morning hours of Nov. 6, he agreed with the assessment his crew had made. Good thing, because 20 minutes later a chunk of the road approaching the bridge slid into the Raging River. In the week that followed, even more of the road has slipped away near the bridge and in another location in Upper Preston. “The experience of our staff saves lives,” said Ledbetter. “If that operator hadn’t been out checking around the clock, and if he hadn’t questioned the condition of the road, someone could have driven off the road and into the river.”
“Getting right on these problems is what saves lives and property, and we do our best,” said Ledbetter. “In North King County, we had one area where we were running pumps to keep homes from flooding. In the south end, we had our eyes on a crevasse that was developing alongside a county road.” Although the crews are busy during the height of a storm, they are even busier once the waters begin receding. That’s when they can really get in to assess damage and begin making permanent repairs. “We have to run an assessment on the transportation network throughout the entire unincorporated area. Roads, shoulders, culverts, bridges, bridge supports and even utility lines – we have to check it all,” said Ledbetter. With a flooded road, Ledbetter said there are three main areas to focus on once the water goes down. First, the crews check for washouts and undermining to make sure it is safe for immediate travel. Then, they remove debris and mud to make it passable. Finally, they assess the road for any long-term repairs needed to the shoulders and drainage systems. Sometimes, they need to do more than clean-up and initiate repairs. In Upper Preston, where repairs to the road and a bridge are ongoing, the division is working to provide temporary access so emergency vehicles can serve the 200-home neighborhood. They also have to staff the phone lines to keep up with residents’ calls and concerns. Ledbetter said the exchange is two-way. “The citizens are providing us with constant flow information regarding road conditions, which is great because we can’t be everywhere at once,” said Ledbetter. “And in turn, we try to return calls and let them know what we are doing to fix the situation, which they really appreciate.” That partnership between the Roads Division and the public will be important again this week, as the forecast calls for more rain starting Wednesday. To report problems 24 hours a day, call (206) 296-8100 or (800) 527-6237. |
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