By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
At the King County Flood Control District, our mission is to implement flood risk reduction policies and projects to protect life and property while advancing equity and social justice, sustainable livelihoods, habitat protection, salmon recovery, recreation, and resilient communities. That mission is carried forward by a dedicated nine-member Board of Supervisors, each representing one of King County’s Council Districts and bringing deep knowledge of the communities they serve.
For the second year in a row, we are proud to share a three-part blog series featuring perspectives from members of our Board. These reflections offer residents a closer look at how their local elected leaders are thinking about flood risk, recovery, and long-term resilience across King County.
This first installment features messages from Vice Chair Sarah Perry (District 3) and Supervisor Jorge L. Barón (District 4). Their districts span urban neighborhoods, fast-growing suburban areas, and river valleys and foothills that experienced firsthand the impacts of December’s historic flooding.
District 3
Statement from Sarah Perry, Vice Chair of the King County Flood Control District, representing King County Council District 3, including Carnation, Duvall, Fall City, Issaquah, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, and surrounding areas.
December’s historic flooding will be remembered for generations in King County. The sheer scale and duration of the storm were extraordinary, and yet, we are profoundly grateful that there was no loss of life in King County. That outcome did not happen by chance. It reflects decades of investment in levees, floodplain management, warning systems, and partnerships that the King County Flood Control District and its local partners have built together.
As we move from response into recovery, it is clear that our work is far from over. We now face the dual responsibility of addressing urgent short-term repairs to damaged flood facilities while also keeping our eyes on the long-term capital investments that will be needed to protect our communities in a changing climate. The year ahead will require careful prioritization, strong coordination, and a continued commitment to doing the hard work of rebuilding and improving our flood risk reduction system.
At the same time, we must not lose sight of what makes this work truly meaningful. Flood Control District projects in District 3, from the Snoqualmie Valley to its many tributaries, have shown that we can reduce flood risks while also advancing ecosystem restoration, salmon recovery, and other multi-benefit outcomes. As we implement the next generation of flood risk reduction projects, we will continue to pursue these shared benefits wherever feasible, ensuring that our investments support both thriving communities and a healthy natural environment.
District 4
Statement from Jorge L. Barón, Supervisor for the King County Flood Control District, representing King County Council District 4, including much of Seattle, encompassing many of the communities from Belltown in the south to Broadview in the north, and west of I-5 to the water.
We strive for equity to be at the heart of everything we do at the Flood Control District. That means ensuring our investments are balanced between rural river valleys and urban neighborhoods, and that communities facing very different types of flooding receive the support they need to stay safe.
In District 4, flooding is driven primarily by stormwater and urban drainage issues, not large rivers. Heavy rain can overwhelm pipes, ditches, and creeks, flooding streets, homes, and businesses. That is why I encourage District 4 community organizations and local governments to apply for Flood Reduction Grants. These grants can fund projects that address urban flooding, from drainage improvements to green infrastructure, and help reduce flood risk right where people live and work.
We also know that the best solutions protect more than just buildings. Our investments must help safeguard people, local property, and the natural environment together. Thoughtful flood risk reduction projects can improve water quality, create greener neighborhoods, and make communities more resilient to climate change.
As we continue this work, I encourage everyone in District 4, and across King County, to visit the King County Flood Control District’s flood resources page and take steps to Be Flood Ready. Prepared communities are safer communities, and together we can reduce flood risk while building a stronger, more resilient future.
More to Come in This Series
This first installment highlights just a couple of the voices guiding the King County Flood Control District as our region recovers from a historic flood and looks ahead to a changing climate. Vice Chair Perry and Supervisor Barón bring distinct perspectives shaped by their communities, from urban creeks and stormwater systems to river valleys and regional infrastructure, but they share a common commitment to protecting people, property, and the natural systems that sustain us.
In the coming months, we will continue this series with messages from additional members of the Board of Supervisors, offering even more insight into how flood risk reduction is being shaped across King County.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the leadership behind the King County Flood Control District, and for being part of the collective effort to build a safer, more resilient future for all.