As residents throughout King County and county employees continue to assess the damage caused by two very different winter storms, the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously adopted legislation on Monday, to assist the victims of December’s snow and January’s floods in their recovery.

“Quickly repairing road damage is a necessary first step to getting King County moving after these major storms,” said new Council Chair Dow Constantine. “This legislation will help expedite contracts for repairs to roads and other public facilities and the dump fees waiver will enable residents to do their own storm clean up at minimal cost.”

“For residents who have experienced some of the highest water flows in decades, this opportunity to dispose of flood-damaged debris will help in the recovery from the devastation,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents the hard-hit Snoqualmie Valley, as well as Redmond. “This emergency waiver also will allow placement of dump boxes in some of our communities most damaged by last week’s flooding.”

The council adopted an ordinance waiving county requirements on competitive bidding on repairs that protect life and property. The council also waived the fees for disposal of storm-related debris at King County solid waste disposal facilities.

Disposal fees will be waived for all county residents who are part of the King County solid waste system. The waiver of competitive bidding requirements will allow the county to act quickly in awarding contracts so companies can assist in repairing county roads and other public facilities damaged by the winter storms.

Heavy snowfall the week before Christmas led the County Executive to declare a snow emergency on Dec. 24. The region was just beginning to thaw out when heavy rains swelled regional rivers to record levels, causing the Executive to sign a second proclamation declaring a flood emergency on Jan. 8.

More information about disposal of flood debris is available from the King County Solid Waste Division at (206) 296-4466. Residents who have incurred uninsured property damage should report the damages and loss to the King County Emergency Management hotline at 1-800-523-5044. The hotline will be open daily from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through Friday, Jan. 16.