Thurston County introduces River Spotter Program by as part of Flood Awareness Week

As part of recognizing Flood Awareness Week, the Board of County Commissioners urged all residents to take steps to prepare for the impacts of natural and human-caused disasters in their homes, businesses, and schools during its public meeting on October 17.

Thurston’s Emergency Services Director, Ben Miller-Todd said the residents of Thurston should be educated and prepared for flood safety and property protection measures, and county agencies and employees should be prepared to provide essential public services following those disasters.

“The goals are to inform the public about National Weather Service forecast and warning services, heightened public awareness to the risks associated with all flood types including flash floods, river floods, and those related to dam or levee failures and empower citizens to take actions necessary to protect their lives and their livelihoods,” said Miller-Todd.

River spotters

In line with the proclamation, the Emergency Management team introduced the River Spotter Program, which aims to enhance the community’s understanding of river conditions and improve situational awareness and emergency response during floods.

“The role is simple, safely monitor river conditions and share photos with Emergency Management,” said Miller-Todd. “This visual data will provide us with a real-time snapshot of river conditions at various stage heights, helping us to make better-informed decisions during flood events.”

For those residents who are interested in joining the program, they can contact the county’s Emergency Management team for more information.

“Thurston County's first priority will always be to protect human life and safety,” said Miller-Todd.

Flooding, as the most prevalent natural hazard in Thurston County, has caused significant damage and losses to homes and buildings throughout the county, according to the proclamation.

The BOCC encouraged residents to obtain disaster-related information and emergency preparedness training through various channels, including the annual Thurston County Flood Bulletin, the county website, and social media platforms.

Subscribing to the county's alert notification system and acquiring a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Weather Radio, which includes Emergency Alert System broadcasts, are also recommended.