Evacuation route signs put up at Green River Valley
KENT, Wash. -- Sandbags have been stacked along the Green River, and now the signs leading to higher ground are being put in.
King County road crews are showing you the way. Twenty seven evacuation route signs are going in this week to guide residents to higher ground in case of flooding.
"There are a lot of people that drive through the valley and a lot of people that are visiting. Some people don't even know other ways around that don't get them to home and work," said King County Traffic Maintenance Superintendent Lindy Jenson.
But most of the routes up and out of the valley are known to the locals, and many have already planned their escape routes.
Kent homeowner Joe Dunkel says in case of flood, he'll go "straight to me boat. No, actually right up James Street Hill if I have to."
In the meantime, Dunkel's brother is helping him sandbag his house. Kent residents get 100 free sandbags.
But those free bags aren't enough to ease the worries of local residents.
"If it floods, this is about the lowest place down here -- downtown Kent. I'm probably going to get it worse than people out on the sides. I just don't want to lose everything," said Dunkel.
The Army Corp of Engineers have been showing maps to the residents to give them an idea of what places may have slight flooding with only a few feet of water over the flood wall, and major flooding with several feet of water over.
The giant sandbags just placed on top of the Green River levees can only do so much. And when it gets time to run... long time residents say the signs will do a lot of good.
"For a majority of the people, they're probably going to be all dizzy and not know which way to go. So yes, those signs are probably pretty important," said Kent resident Larry Hutchins.
King County officials believe in case an evacuation is necessary, residents will get plenty of time to prepare.
"We're hoping for 72 hours," Jenson said.
Officials hope evacuation route signs will help ease traffic snarls in case of emergency.
King County road crews are showing you the way. Twenty seven evacuation route signs are going in this week to guide residents to higher ground in case of flooding.
"There are a lot of people that drive through the valley and a lot of people that are visiting. Some people don't even know other ways around that don't get them to home and work," said King County Traffic Maintenance Superintendent Lindy Jenson.
But most of the routes up and out of the valley are known to the locals, and many have already planned their escape routes.
Kent homeowner Joe Dunkel says in case of flood, he'll go "straight to me boat. No, actually right up James Street Hill if I have to."
In the meantime, Dunkel's brother is helping him sandbag his house. Kent residents get 100 free sandbags.
But those free bags aren't enough to ease the worries of local residents.
"If it floods, this is about the lowest place down here -- downtown Kent. I'm probably going to get it worse than people out on the sides. I just don't want to lose everything," said Dunkel.
The Army Corp of Engineers have been showing maps to the residents to give them an idea of what places may have slight flooding with only a few feet of water over the flood wall, and major flooding with several feet of water over.
The giant sandbags just placed on top of the Green River levees can only do so much. And when it gets time to run... long time residents say the signs will do a lot of good.
"For a majority of the people, they're probably going to be all dizzy and not know which way to go. So yes, those signs are probably pretty important," said Kent resident Larry Hutchins.
King County officials believe in case an evacuation is necessary, residents will get plenty of time to prepare.
"We're hoping for 72 hours," Jenson said.
Officials hope evacuation route signs will help ease traffic snarls in case of emergency.