Be Dam Ready – Annual Siren Test & Evacuation Drill

The City of Seattle owns and operates a dam on the Tolt River. At the request of the City of Carnation, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has reconnected the Tolt Dam Early Warning (siren) System. SPU will run a full audible test of the system on November 1, 2025 at noon. Expect to hear loud siren sounds and spoken messages from the speakers.

EVACUATION DRILL DETAILS

10:00 AM: Informational session at Tolt Middle School (3740 Tolt Ave, Carnation, WA 98014). Enjoy coffee and donuts with neighbors while hearing about dam safety!

12:00 PM: Alarm sounds and evacuation drill begins. Walk up the hill from the event, your home, or work.

Audible testing of the sirens will occur once a year and be coordinated with the City of Carnation’s annual emergency preparedness drills. The weekly Wednesday noon tests that used to occur will no longer take place.

Tolt Dam Information

The City of Seattle owns and operates the Tolt Reservoir and Dam, located 16 miles upstream from Carnation on the South Fork Tolt River. In the unlikely event of a dam failure, water from the reservoir may inundate the City of Carnation. The City has a 20-acre pedestrian evacuation site in Tolt Highlands.

Visit the City of Seattle's website to learn more.

First and foremost: Don't wait - EVACUATE!

  1. Have a family plan to include:
    1. Where you will meet if you cannot get home.
    2. Out-of-area contact person for all family members to call, confirming you are okay and what your plans are.
    3. Grab-and-go backpacks for family members with food, water, necessary medications, and copies of important family records.
    4. Include a plan for your pets.
  2. Know the fastest Evacuation Route from where you live and/or work.
  3. The Tolt Dam Evacuation Walking Route Map and the In-City Evacuation Map will provide more information on evacuation locations. These maps are intended to provide general guidance in the event of an emergency. Actual evacuation routes may vary depending on the specific circumstances. Assess your surroundings and use your best judgment to determine the safest evacuation path and always follow the instructions of on-site emergency personnel.
  4. Plan to WALK OUT – Automobile accidents create huge bottlenecks. You will be able to get out faster if you walk. One evacuation trail starts at the east end of NE 50th St, and the other begins on E Entwistle St going up Tolt Highlands Rd. The routes to these trails are marked by pedestrian evacuation signs. The evacuation site is for pedestrian access only, no vehicles. For vehicular evacuation, follow the route signs north on SR 203 to Stillwater Hill Rd.
  5. Do not go to the school for your children—they will already be on their way up the hill. The schools have an evacuation plan. Check with the Riverview School District for detailed information on where you can expect to reunite with your children.
  6. Keep Moving - Whether walking or driving, don’t stop, keep moving – People behind you need to get up the hill, too.
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