Executive Zahilay issues Proclamation of Emergency regarding severe storms and river flooding

Summary

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay issued a Proclamation of Emergency today regarding the severe storms and river flooding anticipated to have a major impact on the region. 

Story

WHEREAS, the King County Office of Emergency Management has reported to me on December 8, 2025, that King County has activated the King County Regional Emergency Operations Center for a significant civil emergency caused by heavy rain, strong winds, anticipated river flooding, and increased landslide and burn scar debris flow risk; and

WHEREAS, beginning on December 8, 2025, these hazardous weather conditions have consisted of a series of strong atmospheric rivers affecting the region, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, minor coastal flooding, and anticipated river flooding and urban and small stream flooding; and

WHEREAS, these conditions are creating anticipated major flooding to multiple rivers, pose a risk to public property and facilities, and threaten public safety, property destruction, injury, and travel conditions; and

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has forecast periods of heavy rain, widespread significant river flooding, minor coastal flooding, urban and small stream flooding, increased risk for landslides and burn scar debris flows, and high winds, adding to the severe storms conditions described above; and

WHEREAS, these conditions are contributing to rising rivers, with the Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and White Rivers expected to reach major flood stage, the Tolt River to reach moderate flood stage, and the Cedar River to reach minor flood stage, and a need to make immediate contracting and purchasing decisions to prevent harm; and

WHEREAS, the King County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate the County’s and the region’s emergency operations for this significant civil emergency; and

WHEREAS, as described in SECTION 2 of this Proclamation, the situation is sufficiently serious that it is necessary that I proclaim an emergency within King County and exercise the Executive’s emergency powers; and

WHEREAS, I have reviewed the situation, consulted with Executive branch agencies and personnel, and verified the emergency cited above and the necessity for me to take immediate, extraordinary action as outlined in this Proclamation.

NOW THEREFORE, I, GIRMAY ZAHILAY, AS KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE, DO PROCLAIM AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1:  EMERGENCY POWERS

A.  As described in SECTION 2, an emergency exists requiring and authorizing me to exercise the emergency powers vested in me as King County Executive by RCW chapter 38.52, and King County Code chapters 2.56 and 12.52, as described in this Proclamation; and

B. Effective upon my signing this Proclamation, I will exercise that authority through the use and direction of County personnel, services, and equipment, and additional acts necessary to the management of this emergency.

SECTION 2:  PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY

A. Based on my review of the present circumstances, the report of the King County Office of Emergency Management, and my consultations with Executive branch agencies and personnel, I find and proclaim that an emergency exists, as defined in K.C.C. 12.52.010 A., due to severe storms and river flooding conditions consisting of heavy rain, potential for widespread significant river flooding, minor coastal flooding, urban and small stream flooding, increased risk for landslides and burn scar debris flows, and high winds, and that these conditions demand that I exercise the authority assumed in SECTION 1 and take the extraordinary measures stated in SECTION 3, for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and order, and the prevention of damage to public property (and restoration of such property to a condition of usefulness, as such property may have been damaged), and to relieve loss, hardship, and suffering.

SECTION 3:  ORDER

A. Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030 C.2., I hereby order that the public advertising and competitive procurement requirements of state law and K.C.C. chapter 2.93, and all applicable Executive policies and procedures, and the requirements of K.C.C. chapter 12.19, are waived relating to County contracts for the following purchases or leases:

1. Tangible personal property;

2. Public works as defined by RCW 39.04.010; and

3. Services, including professional or technical services.

B. Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030 C.1., I hereby order that King County Staff may authorize overtime for personnel in positions requiring overtime to adequately respond to the emergency.          

 C. Pursuant to K.C.C. sections 10.10.025 and 10.12.050 B., I hereby order that:

1. The Solid Waste Division is authorized to temporarily change, by expanding or reducing, the operating hours of King County solid waste facilities; and

2. Temporarily close any King County solid waste facilities as necessary; and

3. Waive fees for yard waste debris as necessary to address the continuing effects of the extreme weather on solid waste handling.

D. I further the reserve the right to issue such further orders as authorized by K.C.C. chapter 12.52 as may be necessary to respond to the emergency proclaimed in SECTION 2.

SECTION 4:  NOTICE

A. A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall be delivered to the Clerk of the Council and each King County Councilmember by email before the execution of any contract or lease authorized under SECTION 3.  A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall also be filed with the Clerk of the Council by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the second business day after issuance.  To the extent practicable, a copy of this Proclamation and all emergency orders issued hereunder shall be delivered to all news media within King County and made available to the general public. 

SECTION 5:  EXPIRATION AND TERMINATON

A. This Proclamation shall continue in force and effect until terminated by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by ordinance.  However, the order in SECTION 3A shall expire twenty-one (21) calendar days after issuance, unless terminated sooner by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by motion, or extended by the County Council by motion.

DATED this 8th day of December, 2025.

GIRMAY ZAHILAY, Executive

King County, Washington