Contact:

Meghan Jordan                                      Scott North                                       Kira Cox

Communications Spec. III                      Public Information Officer                 Communications Spec. II

Conservation and Natural Resources    Dept. of Emergency Management    Public Works

Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org                   Scott.North@snoco.org                    Kira.Cox@snoco.org

425-312-0564                                         425-388-5373                

Snohomish County Resources Help Residents Prepare for Flood Season

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

Snohomish County, Wash., November 2, 2023 – To assist residents before, during and after a flood event, Snohomish County departments – Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management (SWM), Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Planning and Development Services (PDS), and Public Works (PW) – are providing information and tools to assist residents with flood response and recovery.

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

1. 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.
2. Drainage Investigation Request – Use this form to report a drainage problem.
3. 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.
4. Flood Information Center Webpage – Visit this one-stop flood information resource.
5. Flood Recovery Guide – Review this guide to learn practical steps to help recover after a flood.
6. 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.

Resources Provided by Public Works (PW):

1. Clogged Drains or Culverts – Call Road Maintenance at 425-388-7500 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To report emergencies or flooding issues outside of these hours, call 911.
2. Road Closure Map – Active County road closures are highlighted in red on the map. Click on the highlighted section to see why a road is closed. The closure map is updated Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but may be updated after hours during flood events at stage 3 or higher.
3. Social Media Notices: Road Reports – Follow Public Works Facebook and Twitter accounts to learn about work being done by Public Works crews during inclement weather events.

Resources Provided by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM):

1. SnoCoAlerts – Register to receive emergency alerts delivered right to your smart phone during disasters.
2. Snohomish County Public Safety Hub – DEM uses this one-stop resource to share emergency information, including real-time guidance, maps and flood forecasts.
3. Snohomish County Hazard Viewer -- Explore interactive maps showing known natural hazard areas, including flood zones, earthquake faults, landslide history and the potential for wildfire.
4. 2023 Disaster Preparedness Guide – Learn more about steps you can take to keep safe during flooding and a dozen other hazards that may occur here.
5. Social Media Notices: Disaster/Flood News – 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):

1. Development Requirements – PDS staff help property owners understand how to construct or retrofit their new or existing homes to be safer from flooding. Call PDS for more information: 425-388-3311.
2. Flood Hazard Information Service – Residents can request information on a specific property, including location relative to the floodplain, flood zone, predicted flood depths, and natural floodplain features.
3. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) – FIRMs (often called 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 used to determine flood insurance rates. Most home insurance and renters' insurance plans do not cover flooding, and public post-disaster assistance – whether from the government or nonprofit organizations – is never enough to make people whole. The National Flood Insurance Program offers coverage reflecting your home’s flood risk. Learn more at: www.floodsmart.gov