King County Emergency Coordination Center activated
Residents should use caution during evening commute
King County, WA – The King County Emergency Coordination Center activated to a monitoring level this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in preparation for the windstorm which hit the region this afternoon and evening. King County staff will continue to monitor the situation throughout the evening and support local cities as needed.
King County officials advise everyone to use caution during the afternoon commute and through the evening as the windstorm passes through the region. Safety tips include:
- Only use generators, cooking grills, or barbeques outdoors and far from open windows and vents. Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.
- Make sure you have enough emergency supplies including water, food, flashlights, warm clothing, blankets, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, medications, food/water for your pets, and any special needs items.
- Ensure storm drains near your home are clear of leaves and other debris to prevent localized flooding.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors – especially the elderly, children, persons with disabilities to ensure they are prepared and safe. Also help spread the safety message those to those in your community who speak English as a second language.
- Do not, under any circumstances, go near downed power lines. Be aware that the ground near downed power lines may also be electrified.
Important Phone Numbers:
- Only call 9-1-1 to report a life threatening emergency.
- To report problems on roads in unincorporated King County call the King County Roads at 206-296-8100 (staffed 24 hours a day).
- To report clogged storm drains from fallen leaves in unincorporated King County NOT on county roads call the Drainage Complaint Line at 206-296-1900.
- To report downed electric wires or power outages call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773 or Seattle City Light at 206-684-3000.
For regional news updates on the windstorm visit: www.RPIN.org