Surface Water Management Division

Steps to Avoid Flood Disasters - 
BEFORE a Flood

 Plan Ahead 

• Know if you are in a flood-prone area. For information, call the  Snohomish County Department of Planning and Development Services at 425-388-3311.
• Ask your insurance agent how you can buy flood insurance to protect your property. Homeowners' insurance does not cover flood loss, but most homeowners' insurance agents also sell flood insurance. Even if your home is located in an area not mapped as a floodplain, or even if your home has never been flooded, you can purchase flood insurance.
• Find out how to flood-proof your home. Call Snohomish County Planning and Development Services, 425-388-3311, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1-800-480-2520, for information.
• Observe where erosion and water damage are likely to occur on your property, and keep these areas free of debris.
• Put together a basic emergency supply kit in an easy-to-grab duffle bag or back pack. Include water and food for your family and pets, a NOAA weather portable radio, flashlight, first aid kit, whistle to signal for help, dust mask, pliers to trn off utilities, cell phone with chargers, and cash. See additional suggestions.
• Buy sand and sandbags ahead of time and learn how to use them. You can start by calling the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 206-764-3406 for a brochure on sandbagging.
• Talk to neighbors and share information on preparedness and previous. experiences. Remember, the next flood can always be bigger.
• Update and review flood procedures with your family and co-workers each year.
• Photograph and document your property and belongings for insurance purposes if you live in a flood prone area. Keep this record in a safe deposit box.

 Be Ready to Act Quickly 

• Save current contact numbers for friends, family and emergency services in your cell phone. Make sure everyone in your family has these emergency flood phone numbers and knows when to call them.
• Review the safest route from your home or business to high ground.   
• Make sure everyone knows how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water lines.
• Establish meeting places and phone numbers in case family members are separated by flood waters.
• Make arrangements for the care of your pets.
• Make arrangements for evacuating livestock to higher ground.
• Make arrangements for housing in the event you need to evacuate.
• Keep your vehicle's gas tank full during flood season.
• Move RVs and vehicles to higher ground.

 Minimize Flood Damage 

• Secure anything that might float or move during a flood.
• Store valuables at higher elevations (second story, if possible).
• Store household chemicals above flood levels.
• Ensure that underground and above ground storage tanks are fully sealed and secure.
• Close storm shutters and sandbag doorways.
• Have check valves installed in building sewer traps to prevent flood waters from backing up into sewer drains.