King County announced Friday (Nov. 13th) a brand new automated “flood alert” system that will provide real-time messages by phone, text or email warning of potential flooding on more than a half-dozen local rivers.
The new service is free, and to sign up, just visit www.kingcounty.gov/flood, or call 206-263-3400 to register by phone.
According to [...]

King County has introduced a new website that provides info on area sandbag distribution sites, allowing for residents in the valley to learn where and when they can find FREE sandbags to help protect their home and property from flooding.
The website, located at www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/sandbag-distribution.aspx, has listings of sandbag material suppliers and partnering cities that provide [...]

On Monday (Aug. 31st) the King County Council authorized that its Executive can proclaim a “proactive emergency” in advance of potential flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam, which has been determined to be at risk.
This means that after Nov. 3rd, either Susan Hutchison or Dow Constantine will be responsible for getting cows, people and important [...]

In a struggling economy, every piece of positive news counts, and here’s some that’s very relevant to the area:
Tourists spent $615 million last year in the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Kent and Des Moines, according to a tourism group that represents the four southwest King County cities.
There were 5,350 tourism-related jobs that generated $181 million [...]