City of Kent Public Works Department crews closed James Street between Woodford Avenue North and Central Avenue North for a few hours Thursday morning due to flooding.
City officials issued the following statement on the city’s Facebook page:
“The flooding on James Street this morning has to do with several factors; first is that we received a large amount of rain in a short amount of time. Secondly, Mill Creek is at capacity and the city is doing three things to help alleviate that.
“The most visible of those three would be the new James Street Pump station. The pump station is working as expected and will allow us to open the road much sooner than we have been able to in the past.
“The second is the reestablishment of the natural flow of Mill Creek; we are actively pursuing permits at this time but it is a slow process.
“Finally, raising the Upper Mill Creek Dam which would increase our storage capacity; this project will go to bid this summer.
We understand your frustrations and as residents ourselves, share them. We are actively working to improve our city and appreciate your patience during these weather events.”
The city installed the pump station last year.
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