Category: Environment and Sustainability

Twenty-five years after creating a first-of-its-kind regional partnership for salmon recovery, King County and a coalition of partners are celebrating progress and renewing the alliance for another decade. The partners have so far reconnected 730 acres of floodplain, completed 719 salmon recovery projects, and planted native vegetation in nearly 1,500 acres of riparian areas while…

Summary Following weeks of flooding and hazardous weather conditions, King County has begun shifting from rapid response to recovery, working closely with partner agencies and state and local governments. Story King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced today that King County has begun shifting from 24/7 emergency response to monitoring and recovery, following weeks of flooding…

King County’s Flood Patrol has provided on-the-ground monitoring night and day throughout the historic flood, coordinating with partner agencies to reinforce levees before they break and mobilize rapid repairs if they breach. Coordinating emergency responses with King County’s Flood Warning Center and Emergency Operations Center, the Flood Patrol has likely prevented levee failures and made…

Story As ongoing hazardous weather and flooding continue to impact the region, Executive Zahilay issued the following statement regarding King County’s emergency response efforts: “King County and much of Washington state experienced severe and dangerous weather last week, resulting in historic flooding that has put lives, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure at risk across our…

Summary Executive Zahilay issued the following emergency order granting authority for additional actions related to a proclamation of emergency earlier this week addressing the severe weather and river flooding impacting the region. Story WHEREAS, on December 8, 2025, in my capacity as King County Executive, I issued a Proclamation of Emergency regarding a significant civil…

Summary A study by King County scientists – recently published in a national scientific journal – found surprising improvements in Lake Washington’s water quality this century, even as the watershed’s population increased by 350,000 people. News A landmark study by King County scientists found that Lake Washington has become clearer this century even as the…

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…