When record rain and flooding hit our region, the Department of Local Services worked around the clock to keep our communities safe—monitoring conditions in real-time; responding quickly to hazards to our roads and bridges like flooding, slides, and debris; reinforcing and fixing levees; sharing critical health and safety information; and providing uninterrupted support to the countywide Emergency Operations Center.

The department’s Road Services Division is responsible for more than 1,500 miles of roads and 192 bridges in unincorporated King County. These roads are lifelines for residents, businesses, and emergency responders. Crews stay vigilant year-round, and when storms strike, that readiness turns into action.

  • A Road Services bridge engineer was harnessed to the Baring Bridge in Baring, WA, to conduct an inspection after a fallen tree struck and damaged the bridge.
  • After inspecting the Baring Bridge and making temporary repairs, Road Services reopened the bridge to traffic with a reduced weight limit of 5 tons.
  • Crews remove tree logs from 415th Ave SE, near North Bend.
  • King County Road Services partnered with King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) to provide a pathway into and out of the neighborhood on SE Edgewick Rd, which was closed due to multiple slides and roadway damage. DNRP limited traffic along the road to maintain critical access for neighbors.
  • Road Services Division Director Tricia Davis joined King County Sheriff’s Office on aerial reconnaissance. 
  • Leslie Drake was one of several staff members who provided full coverage in the County’s Emergency Operations Center.
  • Local Services’ external affairs team gets directions on distributing public health information.
  • Our 24/7 Road Helpline responded to an unprecedented number of calls and requests.
  • The Roads Sign Shop went into extra production for more warning signs. (Jesse Austin pictured here.)

“We’ve had boots on the ground since the storms began, and we’ll continue supporting our communities as the response transitions to recovery,” said Leon Richardson, Director of the Department of Local Services. “We are all in this response together, and we’re proud of our coordination and collaboration with the King County Emergency Operations Center, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and the Army Corps of Engineers.”

Road Services crews made emergency repairs to the Desimone, Segale, and Pacific flood barriers immediately after being requested by the Flood Patrol of the King County Department of Natural Resources. The Roads crews’ quick response helped protect homes and businesses in South King County as floodwaters from the Green, Cedar, and White rivers breached flood barriers. The department also staged sand, rocks and heavy equipment for partner agencies to use in response.

Road Services crews were among the first requested for support at the White River flood barrier breach in the City of Pacific. Over two days, Roads’ trucks formed an assembly line, loading and carrying the 2-ton “Super Sacks” that ultimately plugged the breach.

“The safety of our residents is our top priority in any emergency response. Our Roads crews worked non-stop to protect residents and communities from rising flood waters,” said Tricia Davis, Director of the Road Services Division.

This emergency work on the flood barriers was in addition to Road Services’ work of keeping roads and bridges safely open when possible across unincorporated King County. In this unprecedented storm, Roads crews closed or restricted access to 60 roads and bridges due to flood damage, debris or slides.

“These roads and bridges are lifelines for many of our smaller communities,” said JoAnn Kosai-Eng, King County Road Engineer. “When a road or bridge is the only way in or out, we act quickly to make repairs and provide a temporary alternative for residents and emergency responders whenever possible.”

Among the closures were seven roads that serve as sole access to communities, including SE Edgwick Road located SE of North Bend, WA. After a slide shut down the road, Local Services teams coordinated with private property owners and the King County Parks Division to develop an emergency access route via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail to allow essential trips while the sole access road is closed.

The historic Baring Bridge over the South Fork of the Skykomish River is the only access route for about 170 properties. It was damaged and closed to vehicle traffic, crews cleared debris and repaired infrastructure to reopen it with new, lowered weight restrictions. Baring resident Jim Olsen offered thanks “to the crew that rapidly repaired the Baring Bridge …  after the damage caused by the flood last week.”

Local Services staff supported Roads crews, other emergency responders, and community members by sharing public health and other vital information with residents, through both the media and by going door-to-door in impacted communities. Crews continue to inspect and repair damaged areas, prioritizing major arterials, life safety routes and sole access roads first. Bridge inspectors have conducted more than 80 inspections since the storms began. Many roads and bridges have reopened; others will take longer depending on the extent of the damage.

Find latest road information on MyCommute page

Check the MyCommute page for the latest closures and openings. Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work toward recovery.