Tips - During a Flood

If Indoors

• Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to a local station. Follow all emergency instructions. For current information on flood levels and road closures, call the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management at 425-388-5088.
• When flooding is imminent, but only if time permits:
  • Turn off all gas and water mains at the main valve.
  • If your main electrical switch is in a dry area, turn it off. If it is not, leave it on and get to safety.
• Be prepared to evacuate. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters become too deep for ordinary vehicles to drive through.
• If you are caught in your building by rapidly rising water, call 911 for help. Bring your family and pets to a higher floor or to the roof. Take warm, weatherproof clothing, a flashlight, a portable radio, and a cellular phone.

If Outdoors

• Stay out of flooded areas.
• Climb to higher ground and stay there until the flood waters recede or until you are rescued.

If Driving

• Do not drive where water is over the road. Flooded roads may obscure high hazard situations such as washouts. Do not drive past barricades.
• If you come to a flooded area, turn around immediately and go another way.
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Walk to higher ground in the direction you came from.
• Keep your radio tuned to a local station and listen for flood updates and road closures.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Back roads and shortcuts may be blocked by flood waters. Most deaths from floods occur when people drive on flooded roads.

Resources

• Descriptions of the four flood phases
• All Real-Time Gages by Basin (list)
• Real-Time Flood Information System (map)

Helpful Numbers