The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for the Kent area until 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, warning that heavy rain continues to cause flooding in several locations, according to the City of Kent.
Officials said crews are monitoring conditions throughout the day and updating road closures as water levels rise and recede.
Residents are encouraged to check current closure information through the city’s Drive Kent website for real time notifications.
Officials urged drivers to use extreme caution.
“Turn around, don’t drown,” the city said in its update, noting that even a few inches of moving water can knock an adult down and that a foot of water can move a car. The city emphasized that road closure signs and barricades should never be bypassed because water can be deeper than it appears.
Residents are also advised to avoid walking through floodwater due to hidden hazards and contamination and to clear storm drains near their homes when safe to do so.
The King County Flood Warning Center remains active and is monitoring regional rivers and waterways. Flood alerts, river conditions and information on sandbag locations are available at kingcounty.gov/flood. You can also find real-time river level information at flood.kingcounty.gov.
Non emergency flooding concerns in Kent such as blocked drains or minor water over roadways can be reported through the KentWorks App (get Google version here; Apple version here) or by calling the city’s non emergency line at (253) 856-5600. For any immediate threat to life or safety, residents should call 911.
“A huge thank-you to our Public Works, Police, and crews who are out in these conditions keeping roads clear, responding to calls, and working around the clock to keep our community safe,” officials said in a statement.
