VIDEO – Flood meeting draws a crowd; you can still attend another

A flood-information meeting sponsored Oct. 3 by the City of Kent drew hundreds to the ShoWare Center. Hear the latest from guest speakers at the event, and learn how other residents feel about the need to protect themselves this winter, due to the increased risk of flooding from the Green River.

Also, if you missed this meeting, be sure to attend a similar meeting scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8, also at the ShoWare Center.

Included will be presentations about:

• Dam operations, interim repairs and potential impacts to themselves and their property.

• Efforts by the city of Kent and King County to respond to possible impacts.

• Resources available, and ways to help protect themselves and their property against flood risks.

Each meeting will start with a 30-minute open house, followed by presentations and close with a 30-minute question and answer session.

Since last winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been assessing two depressions on the right abutment of the Howard Hanson Dam. The dam provides flood risk reduction and water storage on the Green River.

While Corps officials said there is no risk for dam failure, an increased risk of flooding is possible due to the dam’s diminished storage capacity.

The scheduled presentations at the meetings include:

• An update by the Army Corps about the damage assessment at the dam, operation changes and possible river impacts.

• Information from the King County Flood Control District about its flood warning center.

• Updates from the Kent Public Works Department about flood protection along the river and from the Kent Emergency Management division about the status of emergency coordination plans, evacuation routes and resident notification.

For more information about potential Green River flooding, go to www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans or call the Kent Emergency Management division at 253-856-4440.