|
Services
>
Drainage & Sewer
>
Emergency Weather Tips
>
Storms & Flooding
If You Live Creekside
Keep leaves and other items out of the creek
- • Do not store furniture or other items like firewood, fuel tanks, containers and loose items in flood-prone areas or near stream channels, as high flows can wash these items into the creek.
- • Anything that enters the creek can result in blocking downstream culverts and causing local flooding.
- • Even leaves and branches washed into the creek and culverts increase the risk of flooding. Store your yard waste and debris in secure bins or bags for curbside pickup - not along the creek.
Exercise caution during storms
- • Urban creeks can be unpredictable during storms.
- • Stay out of the creek until the storm passes through, even if you see debris building up.
- • Instead of trying to remove debris yourself, report concerns to: (206) 386-1800.
Create a backyard berm or restore a floodplain with neighbors
- • FEMA defines a floodplain as "Any land area that is susceptible to being inundated by water from any source." Most properties near creeks are likely in a floodplain.
- • These are more permanent solutions to flooding than sandbags - made of soil and plants.
- • It is critical that neighbors work together on these projects. The best results will occur by working together within a specific stream reach or section. You need to design your projects so that floodwaters are not sent to your neighbors’ homes.
- • In areas where urban streams flow through private property, it may be possible to utilize your yard as a temporary floodplain. For this to be effective there must be sufficient space between structures (house, garage, etc.). The structures you are trying to protect must be at a higher elevation than the stream channel.
- • You may be able to construct either a natural floodplain (preferred) or a “backyard berm.” See pictures below.
- • Restoring or creating a floodplain or backyard berm requires professional eco-engineering and flood management assistance.
- • One funding resource is SPU’s Aquatic Habitat Matching Grant Program, which can help fund projects on private and public properties. Also, see King County grant information.
|
|
|
