King County is offering a new tool to alert residents to flooding. The free, automated system allows subscribers to receive customized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s six major river systems.

Immediate notifications about pending high water will come people’s e-mail, smart phone text or voicemail.

The KC Flood Alerts link can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/flood. This website provides the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links.

To keep up with the latest information on river conditions while on the go, check out King County’s new stream gage website for mobile phones, at http://green.kingcounty.gov/wlr/fwcas/IvrMiniGageData.html. This site provides information about river levels and flood phases, plus links to U.S. Geological Survey stream gage sites and flow information.

County officials also offer the following tips for families:

· Make an emergency plan and assemble an emergency kit that includes a portable battery-powered radio, flashlight, fresh batteries, cooking equipment, non-perishable food, drinking water, medications and a first aid kit. Visit http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways/makeaplan.html for more information.

* Buy flood insurance now; it takes 30 days for a policy to take effect, and a standard insurance policy will not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

* Monitor area news media for information if severe weather is predicted. Listen for alerts about evacuation routes, and monitor local road conditions and obey closure signs.

* Minimize flood damage by storing valuables and electronics higher, and by moving vehicles and equipment to high ground before flood waters rise.

* Dispose of hazardous chemicals such as lawn and gardening herbicides at one of the county’s household hazardous waste sites to help reduce harmful contaminates in flood waters.