Olympia City Council approves emergency resolution to address 28th Avenue flooding

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency resolution to address ongoing flooding on 28th Avenue, west of Cooper Point Road, at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

The resolution waived competitive bidding requirements for the Public Works Department related to the flooding mitigation.

The exemption is allowed under Revised Code of Washington 39.04.280, which permits contracts to be awarded without bidding during an emergency.

In December 2025, Olympia experienced a historic amount of rainfall due to a series of atmospheric rivers that impacted the region. As a result, 28th Avenue has experienced ongoing flooding, which poses a risk to the people traveling through the area.

City staffers reported water depths reached approximately 6 inches in some areas, and the edges of the road and adjacent ditches could not be seen.

According to a staff report, 28th Avenue has experienced localized flooding over the years. But extreme weather events, such as the repeated atmospheric rivers in December, are occurring more frequently.

“Events like this change a minor disruption to the traveling public on 28th (Avenue) to a constant state of flooding emergency,” the staff report states. “It is a safety hazard to expect residents, service and emergency vehicles, and other users of 28th (Avenue) to drive through standing water.”

A city engineer determined the situation at 28th Avenue constituted an emergency under state law, citing an immediate threat to essential public functions and risk of property damage, bodily injury or loss of life if action was not taken. Emergency mitigation work was recommended.

Prior to December 2025, the city had been working with engineering firm KPFF to analyze the area, determine the cause of the flooding and identify potential improvements.

Following the emergency declaration, staff directed the firm to provide mitigation measures that can be implemented quickly.

KPFF’s recommendation includes cleaning an existing culvert under 28th Avenue, which appears to be blocked.

City staff said cleaning the culvert is expected to improve and reduce flooding on 28th Avenue during small to medium rainfall. The city and consultant are going to continue to monitor the area after the culvert is cleaned to determine if additional measures are needed.

The emergency mitigation work is expected to cost approximately $40,000 and will be paid for through the city’s stormwater utility fund.

“Short-term flooding mitigation measures are needed to reduce the threat of material loss, bodily injury, or loss of life,” the staff report states. “Once those measures are completed, staff will return to focusing on a long-term solution for flooding on 28th (Avenue).”

The resolution was approved as part of the consent calendar, with no discussion by council members.