Flooding is the most common natural disaster in King County. Scientists expect that La Niña, a natural weather pattern of cooler and wetter weather, will happen this fall and winter, creating the potential for an active flood season in the region from October through April.
Typically, La Niña lasts for one or two years, but the most recent La Niña lasted from 2020 to 2023, which was unusual. There were some moderate to high flood events during those years that resulted in major damage to homes, businesses, roads, and other important infrastructure in King County. Even minor flooding can lead to big disruptions such as closing roads and requiring costly clean-up and repairs to property.
It is hard to predict natural disasters, and climate change makes it even harder. Protect your loved ones, pets, community, and yourself by knowing your flood risk and making a plan for flood season.
Continue reading to learn about:
- Basic flood safety
- Preparing for flood season
- Free resources for staying informed before, during, and after a flood
- Additional King County contacts
Basic Flood Safety
Anywhere it rains it can flood. Be prepared for flooding when you are at home, school, work, or driving. Floodwaters are powerful and dangerous. Flooding can lead to drowning, trauma, and injury. Most people drown while trying to walk or drive through floodwaters.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- Stay off bridges that are over fast-moving water.
- Be prepared to stay put or evacuate quickly.
- Know how to avoid injury, including during a cleanup.
- Debris, flood water, carbon monoxide poisoning, power outages, and damaged buildings and infrastructure can be dangerous and cause injury.
Whether you rent or own a home or business, experiencing flooding can be upsetting as well as difficult and expensive to clean up. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 1 inch of floodwater in a single-story, 1,000-square-foot home can cause close to $11,000 worth of damage. (Check out FEMA’s Cost of Flooding chart to see how much a flood could cost you.)
Preparing for flood season
- Learn your flood risk. Check your flood risk for where you live, work, go to school, or commute by entering any address at kingcounty.gov/FloodMap. By understanding which areas have the highest risk of flooding you can plan accordingly.
- Buy flood insurance. It takes 30 days for insurance to begin coverage, and flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners or renters insurance. Renters can buy coverage for personal belongings in their home or apartment, even if the structure itself is not insured. To better understand how flood insurance can lower your flood risk, contact King County floodplain managers Laura Hendrix or Ken Zweig at 206-477-4727. Go to floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to find an insurance agent.
Did you know FEMA flood insurance policy holders in unincorporated King County receive a 40% premium discount? This is due to the County’s excellent efforts to reduce flood risk.
- Build an emergency kit. Make sure your kit has items such as a flashlight with back up batteries, a portable radio, non-perishable food, drinking water, medical essentials, and important items for children or pets.
- Move hazardous chemicals. Move products such as automotive fluids, paint products, and weed killer out of flood-prone areas and store them well above flood levels. These chemicals can mix with floodwater and harm people and the environment. Safely dispose of these and other materials at one of King County’s household hazardous waste sites.
- Clear storm drains and gutters. Fallen leaves and other debris can block these important structures that help drain water during a flood.
- Build responsibly. Before you build or make a repair in a flood-prone area, make sure you have the required permits and are following all relevant land-use laws. Getting the right permits makes our flood-prone areas less dangerous for everyone who lives and works there.
Learn about these actions and more ways to prepare for flooding.
Free resources to stay informed before, during, and after a flood
KC Flood Alerts
The King County Flood Control District, together with King County as service provider, developed KC Flood Alerts. Sign up to receive email, voice or text message alerts about flood levels for six King County rivers and Issaquah Creek. Sign up at kingcounty.gov/Flood.
ALERT King County
King County also provides flood-related notifications and other emergency information for your area at ALERT King County.
New Flood Warning App!
New and improved real-time data for six rivers and Issaquah Creek are now available on our website in multiple languages through Google Translate. Save the link to your home screen to get the most up-to-date river levels and flood phases to guide important safety decisions before, during, and after flood events. Please note, the older version of the Flood Warning App will no longer be supported and updated on all phone operating systems, so you are advised to install the new and improved app. Go to kingcounty.gov/flood to install the new and improved app developed by King County with funding from the King County Flood Control District.
King County Flood Warning Center
King County activates its Flood Warning Center when flooding is expected. The center monitors river levels, weather data, dam operations, and road closures. Trained County employees go to flooding areas to respond to safety concerns, such as flooded roadways, and will be checking on levees and other river structures.
When the Flood Warning Center is open, residents can call King County staff all hours of the day with concerns and questions at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. The Flood Warning Center is operated by King County with funds provided by the King County Flood Control District.
King County Stormwater Services – Drainage and Water Quality Investigation Line
For support with, or questions about, smaller stream flooding, or drainage problems in a city, call 206-477-4811. At night, or on weekends and holidays, call 206-296-8100.
2024-2025 Be Flood Ready Brochure
The King County Flood Control District, together with King County as service provider, mails flood safety information annually. The brochure is available online and is mailed to addresses in areas with a high-risk of flooding. More than 32,000 people live or work in King County floodplains.
Updated information this year includes:
- What to do before, during, and after flooding
- Recommended emergency supplies
- King County’s four flood phases
- Free sandbag distribution locations so you can find the one nearest you
Would you like a printed copy of the brochure, or do you need a printed translation? Contact us at WLRCustomerService@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4812 and we’ll connect you to people who can help.
Additional King County contacts
Do you have questions about your flood risk, how to sign up for flood alerts, the 2024-2025 Be Flood Ready brochure, or where to find information about flood insurance? Contact us and we’ll put you in touch with staff who can help.
Email – Send an email to WLRCustomerService@kingcounty.gov.
Phone – Call the King County River and Floodplain Management Section at 206-477-4812.
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