As record-setting floods overflow the banks of rivers in Western Washington during the current atmospheric river storm, Federal Way residents may be wondering about their own risk.
In general, Federal Way has a low to moderate risk of flooding, according to the Department of Ecology. As of now, Federal Way residents shouldn’t worry about any flood risks to their homes.
This is quite a contrast to other nearby areas including the Snoqualmie Valley, Kent, Auburn, Algona, Pacific, Puyallup, Orting and more. So far there there have been mudslides, water rescues, evacuations, power outages, stuck vehicles and flooded roads leading to closures.
Federal Way Emergency Manager Kevin Pelley shared that “we have been very vigilant during this winter storm. Our Public Works crews have been proactive about quickly clearing any minor ponding or pooling of water on our roads. And our Public Works teams are continuously checking known hotspots and responding to reports of debris or flooding.”
If community members see water over roadways, debris, or other issues on Federal Way public property, Pelley directed them to report it on the Federal Way City’s Public Works webpage at Roadway Conditions | City of Federal Way, through the “Eyes on Federal Way” app for Android and Apple, or by calling 253-835-2700. For after-hours emergencies, call 800-400-0749.
Community members should always call 911 first if they see a life-threatening hazard, Pelley said.
Federal Way community members can also sign up for emergency alerts for King and Pierce counties and make sure their profile is updated to include their home, work or school address as well as any other frequent addresses to ensure they receive location-specific alerts.
So far the hardest hit areas have been in the valley, and they have been able to provide their own shelter for those who need to evacuate or find respite.
“We’re on standby, ready to open shelters if requested,” Pelley said. “If asked, the City of Federal Way, in coordination with the Red Cross, our Greater Federal Way CERT volunteers, and local faith-based organizations, are prepared to quickly open and operate shelters.”
Commuter impacts
Approximately 90% of Federal Way’s workforce is employed outside of the city, meaning the community is being impacted by transit issues like flooded roads, increased car accidents due to low visibility and slippery conditions and other challenges.
For those who are commuting or traveling outside of Federal Way, Pelley told the community to “be very cautious” and to keep in mind the phrase “turn around, don’t drown.”
If roads are blocked or you see water over roadways, do not attempt to go through. Only a few inches of water can carry a car away. If you need to travel across or near any major rivers,check the most recent road conditions at the Washington State Real Time Traffic website: Travel Center Map | WSDOT
All road closures can be seen on King County’s My Commute page.
As of 11 a.m. Thursday morning (Dec. 11), some lanes of State Route 18 are closed in places, along with a portion of West Valley Highway S., several areas of Green River Road S., Green Valley Road and Black Diamond Road.
While Federal Way isn’t currently experiencing power outages, there were approximately 13,000 customers without power across Washington as of 11 a.m. Thursday, and the wind and rain could impact Federal Way as well. Federal Way residents can check the power outage map from Puget Sound Energy for updates.
The King County My Commute site shows nearby road closures in real time, including those closed due to current weather conditions including flooding. This map shows road closures as of approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11.
