The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will hear Wednesday about the County’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the potential for widespread flooding in the Green River Valley.

The briefing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Council chambers, 10th floor, King County Courthouse, Third and James streets.

The Committee also will be briefed on the possible relocation of the County’s Elections Office should it become necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water from the federally-owned Howard Hanson Dam to avoid overloading the storm-damaged structure.

Councilmembers will hear from Carolyn Duncan, director of communications for the King County Executive, and Sherril Huff, director of King County Elections.

The cities in the Green River Valley, King County, federal agencies, the Red Cross, business organizations and social service providers are involved in an extensive outreach effort to inform residents and businesses of the potential crisis. Governments and organizations are working with agricultural interests in the unincorporated areas and vulnerable populations in the Green River Valley. Letters warning of the increased risk of a major flood and informational brochures have been mailed to 165,000 addresses in the flood plain, along with 15,000 distributed to jurisdictions, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

The Army Corps discovered sinkholes and rapid seepage of water from an earthen abutment next to Howard Hanson Dam after last January’s record rain. A temporary fix to control seepage is underway but dam storage capacity is expected to be limited until the repair is tested next spring. A long-term fix could take three to five years to develop and construct.

The Committee of the Whole considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council and is the only standing committee on which all nine members serve.

All Council meetings held in chambers are carried live on King County TV on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.