Issaquah flooding / Jan. 8, 2009
January 8, 2009
Water closes streets, floods businesses and homes
January 8, 2009
UPDATED — 1:20 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Tibbetts and Issaquah creeks were cresting at 8 a.m. and water from them will be flowing through Issaquah over the next several hours. The forecast is calling for more rain.
Block your basement drains and evacuate your home if needed. Do not leave animals at home if you evacuate. The Seattle Humane Society has temporary shelter ready to provide safety and care for them. Call 641-0080.
Do not walk, wade or drive in flooded areas. Report storm water issues or request delivery of sand and bags by calling Public Works Operations at 837-3470. The city is accepting calls for sand and bags 24 hours a day during this flooding.
See a map of road closures here.
Sisters Jennifer Davies, Julianne Long and Mindy Heintz (from left) retrieve belongings Jan. 8 from the toppled guesthouse at the home of their parents, Jack and Karen Brooks, beside Issaquah Creek in the 23300 block of Southeast May Valley Road. — By Greg Farrar
Fish hatchery, nearby homes flood
January 8, 2009
NEW — 2:43 p.m. Jan. 8, 2008
The flood waters from Issaquah Creek exceeded the capabilities of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery late Wednesday. Workers are now cleaning up the sand and silt left behind.
“This is the worst I’ve seen it in 19 years of work here,” said Mike Griffin, a hatchery manager. “It rivals the 1996 flooding.
“Considering the amount of water and the height of the creek, we survived pretty good,” he added.
Mike Griffin, Issaquah Hatchery manager, pauses from raking sediment from drains to clear Issaquah Creek flood waters at the hatchery spawning ponds. — By Chantelle Lusebrink
Flood health tips
January 8, 2009
NEW — 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8, 2008
Keep yourself healthy and safe with these flood health tips from the King County health department if there has been any significant flooding to your property.
Drinking water wells:
If you suspect that your well has been flooded, do not drink the water until the well has been tested and decontaminated. Wells that are flooded can be contaminated by germs that cause serious illness, such as giardiasis, gastroenteritis and hepatitis.
If your well is possibly contaminated, drink bottled water or boil your water for at least one minute before drinking.
Septic systems:
Septic tank systems that have been flooded should not be used.
After waters have receded, check the system for broken lines or sewage surfacing.
Correct any problems before using the system.
If you have questions about septic systems, call 206-296-4932.
Safe food and medicine after a flood:
Discard food, medicines and cosmetics that were not in water-tight containers and that were exposed to flood waters. Disinfect water-tight containers that were exposed to flood water.
Discard all milk, fish, meat, poultry and eggs, if refrigeration has been off and the temperature is greater than 41 degrees.
Chemicals:
Businesses and homes often have chemical products, like cleaners, solvents, fuels and pesticides, that are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Store these products above flood height and in spill-proof containers. Some of these materials can burn, kill, poison or react violently with water or air if they are not stored safely. If you have questions, call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692 or click here.
Cleaning a basement or house after a flood:
Be careful before using any electric appliance in a house that has been flooded.
Do not turn on wet electric appliances, because they may cause an electric shock, overheat or start a fire.
Fumes from all solvents are toxic and some are flammable.
Detailed information on flood and health-related topics can be found in English and other languages here.
Issaquah flooding / Jan. 7, 2009
January 7, 2009
Flooding closes streets, leaves residents scrambling to fill sandbags
January 7, 2009
NEW — 12:07 p.m. Jan. 7, 2008
Issaquah Creek spilled over its banks early this morning, closing some streets.
The flooding became so bad that water crossed the roadway, forcing the city to close Newport Way Southwest from Wildwood Boulevard Southwest to Front Street South, and Sycamore Drive Southeast from Front Street South to Southeast Sycamore.
The Public Works Department delivered about 25 loads of sand and 5,000 bags for residents in “the flats,” or flood prone area alongside the creek, according to Scott Wright, city senior maintenance lead for storm and sewer.
Anyone still needing sand and bags should call Public Works at 837-3470 for a free delivery.
By David Hayes — Jon Zintel, a resident of Park Shore Apartments, at 230 Wildwood Blvd. S.W., talks on a cell phone while looking at the water rushing over the ground floor garage this morrning beside Issaquah Creek.
Web links to more flooding information
January 7, 2009
NEW — 11:46 a.m. Jan. 7, 2008
Roads are closed in Issaquah for flooding today and Public Works Operations workers have been out delivering sand and sandbags to residents.
Go to the city’s flood information page here.
Learn more about the city’s flood warning system here.
See a map of road closures here.
Get the city’s flood information brochure here.
Check the forecast for Issaquah here.
Read the National Weather Service’s flood warning here.
Heavy rain causes flooding in county
January 7, 2009
NEW — 11:45 a.m. Jan. 7, 2008
Continued heavy rain is causing numerous travel hazards all across King County this morning.
Flooding on Issaquah Creek closed the southbound lane of Issaquah-Hobart Road below Highway 18 just south of Tiger Mountain at about 8 a.m. The high flows have undermined the road and damaged a section of guardrail, so it will be some time before state road crews are able to assess the extent of damage and make repairs. During the closure, southbound traffic should use 244th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 216th Street. Read more
As white as the snow
January 5, 2009
‘What a beautiful sight,’ Bob Harris told us when he sent these photos.
‘For the first time since we moved to Pine Lake, a small flock of trumpeter swans flew right next to our bulkhead.
They are such a magnificent bird and so graceful. Nature sure is good to us.’
Where’s our money?
January 5, 2009
Sports organizations still waiting for registration fees
When Matthew Balkman found out the Issaquah Youth Lacrosse league hadn’t been paid for its fall registrations, he called the league’s online registration management company. Read more
