Contact:
Meghan Jordan Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II Communications Supervisor
Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-3918 425-388-6413
Snohomish County Provides Resources to Help Residents Prepare for Flood Season
The best time to prepare for a flood, is before a flood.
EVERETT, Wash., November 9, 2020 – The fall and winter months have arrived, and so has the likelihood of significant flooding. To help you get ready, Snohomish County is reminding residents of numerous resources that can be referenced before, during, and after a flood event. Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and Planning and Development Services (PDS) all provide information and tools related to flood response and recovery. These resources focus on topics such as flood risks, real-time flood information, and steps you can take to protect your family and home from flooding.
Resources Provided by Snohomish County Public Works Surface Water Management (SWM):
- Annual Flood Safety Guide – This guide provides information on a wide range of flood-related topics, such as researching your property’s flood risk, protecting your home from flooding, preparing for a flood, what to do in the event of a flood, and steps to recover from a flood.
- Flood Information Center Webpage – Visit this one-stop flood information resource.
- Elevations, Relocations & Buyout Technical Assistance – Owners of flood-prone homes may seek one-on-one assistance with projects that will provide cost-effective, long-term relief from repeated flood damages. Learn about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) funds programs under which Snohomish County can sponsor an application on a homeowner’s behalf.
- Real-Time Flood Information System – Residents can view real-time river depths and flows as well as rain gauges throughout the county. This online tool offers graphs, historical data and an interactive map.
- Flood Recovery Guide – Review this guide to learn practical steps to help recover after a flood.
Resources Provided by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM):
- Essentials of Flood Preparedness List – Learn how to assemble an emergency supplies kit, prepare an emergency plan, and stay informed.
- Snohomish County Hazard Viewer – Explore interactive maps showing known natural hazards, including flood zones, earthquake faults, landslide history and the potential for wildfire.
- SnoCoAlerts – Residents can register and receive emergency alerts, such as those related to evacuations, crime/imminent danger and local area emergencies.
- Subscribe to Email News – Residents can receive information and tips on disaster preparedness.
- Flood News via Social Media – Be sure to follow DEM’s Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive updates during severe weather events.
Resources Provided by Planning and Development Services (PDS):
- Flood Hazard Determination Services – Residents can determine a specific property’s flood risk and regulatory base flood elevation.
- Flood Insurance Rate Maps (also known as DFIRM maps) – The flood hazard maps are the official maps on which FEMA has delineated special flood hazard areas and risk zones. They show the location of a property relative to special flood hazard areas, which is one of the factors determining flood insurance rates.
- Development Requirements – Staff in Planning and Development Services assist property owners with understanding how to construct or retrofit their new or existing homes to be safer from flooding. Call PDS for more information: 425-388-3311.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit https://snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.