Drafter
Clerk 6/5/2007
Title
A MOTION adopting a five-point plan for improving King County's emergency preparedness.
Body
WHEREAS, King County experienced the rainiest month on record for the Puget Sound area in November 2006, with a total rainfall of over fifteen inches, which created widespread flooding, drainage issues and slope instability, and
WHEREAS, King County experienced severe windstorms on December 14 and 15, 2006, which knocked out power to more than one million customers and caused fourteen deaths, including eight persons who died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and
WHEREAS, King County experienced severe snow and ice conditions in December 2006 and January 2007 that challenged road maintenance crews and transit providers, and
WHEREAS, although local governments, public and private utilities and private nonprofit agencies responded quickly and efficiently to the unique and unprecedented challenges presented by the recent winter storms, it is prudent to examine those responses so that the lessons learned can be used to improve future emergency management response, and
WHEREAS, particular areas of possible improvement that have been identified include the availability of emergency shelter, the management and signage of traffic in accordance with applicable RCW sections at intersections where traffic control devices have lost power, the coordination of human services and the welfare of King County residents with special needs or few resources, who are unusually vulnerable to weather, natural disasters and other emergency conditions, and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, businesses, nonprofit organizations and other legal entities proved to be effective agents of relief and care for the population, and
WHEREAS, the council is interested in working with other local government and private agencies, elected officials and emergency management professionals to address these and other issues;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by t...
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