Flood Awareness Week in Thurston County this week

Thurston's Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) proclaimed October 14 through October 18, 2024, as Flood Awareness Week in the county. 

Kyle Bustad, Thurston County Emergency Management Manager, thanked the board for highlighting the importance of personal preparedness for the residents of Thurston County through the proclamation. 

"Emergency Management appreciates your commitment to ensuring our communities remain resilient in the face of natural disasters," said Bustad. 

The proclamation stated that floods are the most prevalent hazard in the county. Since 1962, it has entailed 19 federal disaster declarations related wholly or in part to flooding. 

Over the years, the county has produced education and mitigation efforts, such as the annual flood bulletin for flood-prone areas to be released this week.  

Bustad also highlighted the River Spotter Program, where Emergency Management engages the community by letting residents who live along bodies of water or travel along it take real-time pictures of its conditions. 

The pictures sent to Emergency Management enable real-time awareness to assist with flood mitigation and response efforts. 

"The proclamation also is a reminder for residents of the critical importance of the risks and the potential hazards that we face in Pierce and Thurston County more than just flood awareness. It's a reminder of personal preparedness and steps to protect their property and their lives," said Bustad. 

Commissioner Carolina Mejia congratulated Bustad on his new role as the President-Elect of the Washington State Emergency Management Association. 

Knowing hazards and signing up for notifications 

Bustad encouraged the audience to be aware of the hazards and subscribe to TC Alert, the county's disaster mass notification system. 

TC Alert is Thurston County's primary alert and notification system for notifying residents of emergencies or hazards.  

Notifications usually target a geographic area and produce a wide range of alerts, such as bans, boil notices, missing persons, and chemical spills.  

The system is activated whenever Emergency Management assumes residents need heightened warnings to protect life or property.  

Residents who sign up can choose to receive notifications via texts, phone calls, or email messages, depending on their preference.