HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-15 Proclamation - Emergency FloodingOffice of the Mayor
City of Tukwila, Washington
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) chapter 38.52 authorizes the Mayor to
exercise emergency powers; and
WHEREAS, starting on December 8 through 15, 2025, the City of Tukwila and surrounding
areas experienced a severe series of rainstorms, described by meteorologists as an
"atmospheric river;" and
WHEREAS, the storm's heavy rains and strong winds pose a significant flood risk to Tukwila
and the surrounding regions with potential for urban flooding and other hazardous
conditions; and
WHEREAS, much of the City of Tukwila is located on the banks of the Green/Duwamish River;
and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington and King County declared emergencies for flooding
conditions on December 13; and
WHEREAS, a breach of Green River levees that occurred on December 15 prompting the
evacuation of a part of the city; and
WHEREAS, these flooding conditions, and the potential for severe additional and/or
continuing weather, present a threat to public health, welfare, and safety and to the proper
performance of essential governmental and private functions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila believes the current conditions constitute a civil emergency as
defined by TMC Section 2.57.020(1) and necessitate the utilization of emergency powers; and
WHEREAS, Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) Section 2.57.030(1) empowers the Mayor to
proclaim a state of emergency when an incident, whether natural or man-made, requires
immediate responsive action to protect life and property.
WHEREAS, RCW 42.30.230 allows the local government to hold a meeting virtually due to
safety concerns because of the emergency; and it is desired to avoid unnecessary travel.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas McLeod, Mayor of the City of Tukwila, do hereby proclaim a
state of emergency within the City of Tukwila; and that during the existence of said
emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the Director of Emergency Management and
the emergency organization of this city shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances,
and resolutions of this City. Said local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist until
its termination is proclaimed by the Mayor of the City of Tukwila, State of Washington.
Dated this l5th day of December 2025.
Thomas McLeod, Mayor