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Summary
King County Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement on the response and ongoing recovery efforts by first responders, county departments, and partners after last week’s storm.
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“I want to commend the utility workers, our Office of Emergency Management, and first responders for their incredible hard work during this challenging time. Their dedication and action have been critical in responding to the impacts of this emergency.
To those still waiting for power to be restored, we know how devastating this is. The wind patterns made certain areas particularly vulnerable, prolonging restoration efforts.
To expedite King County’s response, I issued an emergency order, enabling the activation of the Regional Emergency Operations Center, which has been coordinating with cities, public agencies, and partners like hospitals and the American Red Cross. The order also allowed the Solid Waste Division to waive service hours and fees for debris removal.
Our road crews are actively repairing damaged roads and bridges, addressing safety concerns, and restoring access for residents. This is happening in close collaboration with Puget Sound Energy as they complete critical repairs to power lines and infrastructure. By coordinating these efforts, we are working to ensure that restoration progresses efficiently and helps communities recover as quickly as possible.
To enhance safety during this time of heightened vulnerability, I have directed the Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols as much as possible in the unincorporated areas, including Mirrormont and Tiger Mountain. This added presence aims to reassure residents and help protect these communities as we continue the recovery.
My staff has been working closely with Council offices to ensure we are doing everything possible to assist the communities most impacted by this storm. Together, we are identifying resources and addressing urgent needs as they arise.
OEM has played a crucial role in securing resources, prioritizing power restoration for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, transfer stations, and water systems. Staff also provided debris-clearing equipment for use by fire crews and a generator to ensure ballot counting could continue at King County Elections. You can find updates about storm recovery on OEM’s website.
As the region recovers, we are gathering damage estimates from County agencies, cities, and public organizations to support potential federal disaster declarations and relief programs, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans.
Our teams are fully committed to providing updates and working around the clock to ensure our communities recover as quickly and safely as possible from the impacts of this devastating storm.”
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