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Green River Flooding

Howard Hanson Dam/Green River Valley Update

The Port of Seattle is working with customers, tenants and public agencies to prepare for possible flooding on portions of the Green River due to reduced capacity of the Howard Hanson Dam. While the dam is not in danger of failing, there is increased risk of flooding in some areas of the valley from Auburn through Kent, Tukwila and Renton. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently working on repairs to the dam to reduce that risk.

Cargo Terminals

• Marine terminals will remain operational and do not expect direct impacts if flooding occurs.

Intermodal Rail Cargo

• Intermodal rail cargo will continue to move in and out of the Port. No negative effects on port related rail operations are expected.
• The BNSF Railway does not expect impacts on its main lines and if needed, the railroad will reroute intermodal traffic to avoid flood area. In the event of flooding, BNSF track inspectors will work around the clock to ensure rail road bed safety.
• The Union Pacific Railroad is working on contingency plans for moving intermodal cargoes.

Roadways

• Most major roadways should remain open even during a flood event providing access to warehouse and distribution centers south of Seattle. Those roadways include I-5, I-405, I-90, SR 509, SR 99 and SR 18.
• SR 167 should remain open south of 15th Street SE in Auburn, though in the event of flooding it may periodically close between that location and South 118th street in Kent.
• Drayage routes in the harbor and freeways leading to Eastern Washington are not expected to be affected.

Warehousing and Distribution

• The region’s largest import distribution centers are located outside the area of potential flooding, but there are some with operations in the Green River Valley that may be affected.
• Many of the potentially affected facilities are developing contingency plans and taking steps to avoid damage and delays.

Container Storage

• The Port and terminal operators are working to identify areas where containers may be temporarily stored if flooding delays the local delivery of cargo.

Ongoing Updates

• The Port of Seattle will continue to notify customers, tenants and partners via email and through its Web site.

Background

Howard Hanson Dam is the primary flood control measure in the Green River Valley, south of Seattle. The dam was damaged in January 2009 and the Corps of Engineers has determined that, as a safety precaution, it will release more water into the river during the upcoming rainy season. Water releases may result in periodic flooding in the valley. More information is provided by King County.

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