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As part of King County’s ongoing response to last week’s record flooding, Executive Ron Sims and the County Council today developed a plan that will allow for continued free disposal of flood-damaged items and debris from the hardest-hit communities.

Over the weekend, King County worked with commercial haulers to set up temporary drop off sites in the cities of Snoqualmie, North Bend and Pacific, where residents and city staff could drop off flood-damaged items and debris at no charge. Residents of those cities should call the city or check the city’s Web site for more information.

“Now that the immediate flood danger has passed, it’s time to focus on recovery and how we can help residents in affected areas deal with the tons of debris and flood-damaged items that the high water left behind,” Sims said.

Free disposal of flood debris is currently available only at the temporary drop off sites, and only to citizens of those three affected communities.

King County is working with its two contracted garbage haulers – Waste Management and Allied Waste – to expand free flood debris drop off service to other hard hit communities.

"Flood victims are struggling right now under the weight of putting their lives back together in the wake of these devastating floods,” said King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, a strong supporter of the proposal. “We can give them a hand up by providing free disposal of flood debris in those hardest-hit communities."

Residents and businesses bringing flood debris to King County solid waste facilities will be charged the regular garbage fees.