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 December 19, 2025
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Dear Neighbor,
As rain and high winds continue to impact our community, I want to provide additional information on available resources for South King County residents and businesses. Although water levels in many King County rivers are starting to recede, the Cedar and Green Rivers remain at elevated levels and we continue to closely monitor conditions.
I want to begin by thanking the many local, county, and state agencies working around the clock to respond to this emergency. The coordinated efforts of first responders, emergency management teams, public works crews, and city, county, and state staff have been critical to protecting lives, property, and infrastructure across South King County.
Where To Find Time-Sensitive Information
First, I want to share important guidance about where to find accurate, up-to-date information. During fast-moving emergencies, information can change quickly, and not all sources are equally reliable.
The most accurate and current updates are coming directly from government agencies that are coordinating response efforts. I strongly encourage you to rely on official sources, including King County Alerts, King County Emergency Management, and updates from the Cities of Tukwila, Renton, and Kent. These agencies are in direct contact with first responders, public works teams, and emergency managers and can provide verified information about safety conditions, road closures, shelter availability, and resources.
Please use caution when relying on information from unofficial sources, including social media posts, forwarded messages, or third-party websites. While often well-intended, these sources may contain outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information that can create confusion or unnecessary concern.
My office will continue to update you as conditions change. Your safety is the top priority, and staying informed through trusted sources is one of the most important steps you can take.
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King County Alerts. This is the best resource to make sure you and your loved ones receive time-sensitive information in the event of an emergency. Alerts are also available in multiple languages (click here to sign up).
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Current Conditions
While conditions have improved in some areas, it can take several days for river levels to subside, and recent high winds have placed additional strain on infrastructure. As of today, the Green River remains at Phase 3 (moderate flooding) and the Cedar River has downgraded to a Phase 2 (minor flooding).
Flooded area in Kent, north of S 277th street.
Desimone Levee Update (Tukwila)
Thanks to the swift and coordinated response from King County, the State of Washington, and the cities of Tukwila and Kent, the Desimone levee breach on the Green River on December 15th has been repaired and is currently holding steady. King County and our partners are continuing to monitor the levee for any seepage and instability.
A Level 1 (BE READY) alert remains in place for the immediate surrounding area, alerting businesses and residents to be prepared for a sudden evacuation if conditions change. This includes the following areas:
- Southcenter District–West Valley Highway area
- Portions of East Interurban Avenue South, from north of I-405 to the north end of Foster Golf Course
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Road Closures
Some roads remain closed as crews continue cleanup, including several closures in Kent:
- Veterans Drive and Russell Road
- Frager Road S at W Meeker Street
- Northbound SR 167 from 15th Street SW (MP 14) to SR 516 (MP 20)
- S 277th Street from 108th Avenue SE to 83rd Avenue SE
- 108th Avenue SE from SE 264th Street to SE 269th Street
- 148th Avenue SE from SE 256th Street to SE 249th Street
Trails
Several sections of the regional trail system along the Cedar, Green, and Duwamish Rivers remain closed due to high water. Please stay away from riverbanks as we work to ensure levees remain safe. Remember that water rescues place both yourself and first responders at risk.
Recovery Resources
We know that recovering from flooding can feel overwhelming. To help residents navigate available assistance, King County has created a Flood Recovery Resource page, which you can access here.
This page includes information on:
- Safely reentering flooded properties
- Resources for homeowners and businesses
- Insurance and FEMA assistance
- Property tax relief
- Cleanup and debris disposal
- Disaster Cash Assistance (please note: you must file a claim within 10 days of the flooding)
Crisis Cleanup has also opened a hotline, available through January 2nd, for those who need help removing debris. Please call (844)-965–1386 if you need help with:
- Cutting fallen trees
- Drywall, flooring, and appliance removal
- Tarping roofs
- Mold mitigation
Because this is a free resource, they cannot guarantee service if demand exceeds capacity.
Free Solid Waste Disposal
King County Solid Waste will accept, free of charge, any flood-related debris, including yard waste and garbage, each weekend from December 20th through January 11th.
For District 5 businesses and residents, our closest disposal location is:
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering locally to help those impacted, opportunities are available through the American Red Cross.
We will share additional volunteer opportunities as they arise.
I also want to again express my sincere appreciation to the public servants, first responders, utility workers, nonprofit partners, and volunteers who continue to show up for our communities during this emergency. Their dedication and collaboration across jurisdictions make a real difference for South King County families and businesses.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and care for one another as we continue to navigate this challenging situation. If you have any questions or need help accessing resources, please reach out to my office. My contact information is listed below.
Sincerely,
 Steffanie Fain
King County Councilmember, District 5
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Steffanie Fain
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/fain |
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