North Bend ratifies Dec. 10 local emergency; staff detail storm response, shelters and 8,000 sandbags distributed

The North Bend City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan. 6 ratifying Mayor Mary Miller’s Dec. 10, 2025 proclamation of local emergency following an intense multi-day storm and flooding event.

Amber Emery, who presented the agenda bill (AB26-002), said the city followed its emergency management plan and cited RCW 39.04.280(3) when the mayor proclaimed a local emergency on Dec. 10. Tom in Public Works reported the city received "approximately 8 inches of rain between Dec. 4 and Dec. 11," described multiple flooded roadways and stormwater failures (Mount Si Boulevard, SR 202 at South Fork Avenue, Gardner Creek, the Safeway complex and other localized failures) and said a levee in the Silver Creek neighborhood overtopped. Public Works also faced a pump failure at the South Fork lift station and record flows at the wastewater treatment plant.

Aaron, the city’s emergency management coordinator, described the Emergency Operations Center activation and interagency coordination with King County, Eastside Fire & Rescue and neighboring cities. He said the city requested 80 cubic yards of sand and ultimately distributed about 8,000 sandbags to residents with volunteer support. "We ended up giving out about 8,000 sandbags," Aaron said. He also described partial activation followed by full activation as conditions worsened and credited zone partners and volunteers for rapid response.

James briefed the council on shelter operations and economic recovery: the city opened an emergency shelter on Dec. 10 (initially at Twin Falls Middle School) and later relocated to Cascade Covenant Church; the shelter served a small number of evacuees (seven at one point) and evacuees were reunited with family or social service volunteers by Dec. 12. Economic development staff and partners surveyed nearly 80 downtown businesses after the storm; damage to commercial properties was described as "relatively light overall," though some suites at the outlet mall and the North Bend Animal Clinic sustained notable damage and reopened in the following weeks. Staff also described outreach about Small Business Administration disaster loans for affected businesses.

Council discussion focused on equipment needs and lessons learned: public works asked for more portable pumping equipment, generators, barricades and signage; staff said they are exploring 800 MHz radio capability for more resilient interagency communications during high-demand emergencies. Council members recommended more community education for new residents on flood channels and a council work study on EOC procedures.

The council approved AB26-002, the resolution ratifying and confirming the Dec. 10 proclamation of local emergency, by unanimous vote. Staff were commended by the mayor and several council members for their response.