Contact:

Sophia Hitsky                                                            Fay Lim

Communications Specialist                                       Communications Supervisor

Sophia.Hitsky@snoco.org                                         Fay.Lim@snoco.org

425-262-2205                                                            425-388-6413

Snohomish County Provides Resources to Help Residents Prepare for Floods

The best time to prepare for a flood is before a flood

EVERETT, Wash., November 12^th, 2021 Fall weather is definitely here with rain in the forecast which also brings the consequential risk of flooding. To be ready, Snohomish County is reminding residents of various resources that can be referenced before, during, and after a flood event. Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management (SWM) Division, Public Works (PW), 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 are equipped with flood risk information, real-time flood updates, as well as precautionary steps to take to protect your loved ones and home from flooding. 

Resources Provided by Conservation and Natural Resources’ Surface Water Management (SWM) division:

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 Public Works (PW):

• Road Closure Map – Active full county road closures are highlighted in red on the map. Click on the highlighted section to see why a road is closed. Starting November 22^nd 2021 through February 7^th 2022, the closure map will be updated Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may be updated after-hours during flood events at stage 3 or higher. 
• Report Clogged Drains or Culverts: Call Road Maintenance at 425-388-7500 Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To report emergencies or flooding issues outside of these hours, call 911.
• Public Works Efforts during Flooding via Social Media – Follow Public Works Facebook and Twitter accounts to learn about work being done by Public Works crews during increment weather events.

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

  
  Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201.
  Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks or follow the department on Facebook and Twitter for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.