Cities hold workshop to raise flood awareness

UPPER VALLEY - North Bend Mayor Joan Simpson issued a proclamation stating that October is Flood Awareness Month in the city of North Bend.

Citing the frequency and severity of flooding in the Valley, Simpson invited residents of North Bend to learn more about flooding and how to prevent loss of life and property as the rainy season starts.

A joint flood-awareness workshop between the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, which has also proclaimed October to be flood awareness month, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Snoqualmie Fire Station, 38624 S.E. River St.

On hand for the workshop will be representatives from both cities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Flood Insurance Program, the Seattle Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Department of Ecology, the Army Corps of Engineers and others.

The North Bend proclamation outlined four phases of the city's flood warning system the city will use to warn residents of impending flooding conditions.

Phase 1: A minor flood with minor lowland flooding; will be called when the sum of Snoqualmie Forks near North Bend is 6,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs).

Phase 2: A moderate flood with low lying roads covered and limited access; will be called when the Snoqualmie reaches 12,000 cfs.

Phase 3: a major flood with the entire Valley experiencing varying depths of flooding; will be called when the cfs of the Snoqualmie is 20,000.

Phase 4: extreme flooding similar to the flood of Nov. 1990; will be called when the Snoqualmie reaches the cfs of 38,000 or greater.

The proclamation also gives flood prevention and flood safety tips, such as keeping basic emergency equipment like radios, cooking equipment and medical supplies on hand.

The proclamation also gives pointers in case one becomes stranded when flooding occurs. Those driving are encouraged to abandon their vehicles for higher ground as are those caught in their homes. It is advised to sit and wait on higher ground for rescue teams as opposed to trying to leave the Valley if one is stuck.

* See http://ci.north-bend.wa.us/floods.htm for more details. More information on flooding can also be obtained by calling the King County Flood Warning Center at (800) 945-9263 or (206) 296-8200.

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