Flooding continued to impact the city of Kent on Saturday, Dec. 13, including the cancellation of the annual Christmas Rush 5K/10K run and walk along the Green River.
“The river level is up and now flowing onto the course route,” according to a city of Kent social media post Friday afternoon, Dec. 12 announcing the cancellation of the Dec. 13 run. “Please know that considerable time was spent evaluating this problem, considering options and alternatives before making this unprecedented decision, but in the interest of 800-plus participants and staff safety, there are no other viable options.”
Official information is posted to the Christmas Rush rainout line (253-856-5020, option 3) and an email was sent to all registered participants regarding refund information, according to the city.
Meanwhile, the city closed another street due to water over roadway, according to its 8:30 a.m. Dec. 13 update. South 262nd Street is closed at 78th Avenue South to 27232 72nd Ave. S., just prior to South 272nd Street.
Road closure list
• S 262nd St at 78th Ave S to 27232 72nd Ave S, just prior to S 272nd St.
• 78th Ave S from S 277th St to S 262nd St.
• W Valley Hwy/68th Ave S/Washington Ave S is closed from Frager Rd to S 277th St.
• S 277th St from 108th Ave SE to 83rd Ave S/Auburn Way N.
(Local residential access via 116th Ave SE or the 108 Ave SE on-ramp to the S 277th St corridor).
• 148th Ave SE from SE 256th St to SE 249th St.
• Green River Rd from the S 277th St overpass to Kent city limits.
Traffic control will be in place; please use alternate routes.
Elected officials meet
On Friday, Dec. 12, Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod hosted a briefing regarding flooding and levees in South King County with U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Gov. Bob Ferguson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmembers Steffanie Fain and Sarah Perry and Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, according to Ralph’s weekly email update.
Ralph also provided an update about the city’s fight against flooding.
“This has been an incredibly challenging week for our community as heavy rainfall pushed the Green River to levels we haven’t seen since the Howard Hanson Dam was built in 1962,” Ralph wrote. “Because so much water fell in the mountains so quickly, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to release significant flows from behind the dam, bringing the river higher than any of us anticipated.
“Our Public Works team received only about 12 hours’ notice on Tuesday that the river was expected to rise well beyond earlier forecasts. Two areas in Kent have levees slated for future improvements by the King County Flood Control District, and with the river climbing, our crews immediately went to work to protect nearby homes and businesses.
“In less than half a day, staff built more than 1,200 feet of temporary, sand-filled barriers to keep floodwater out of vulnerable areas. This was a massive effort involving stormwater, streets, and drinking water teams; six dump trucks; three excavators; and many employees who stepped in without hesitation, including several who went straight from their holiday potluck to the riverbank.”
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