Although floods can happen any time during the year, there are typical seasonal patterns for flooding in Washington State. These patterns are based on the variety of natural processes that cause floods:

• Heavy rainfall on wet or frozen ground, before a snow pack has accumulated, typically cause fall and early winter floods.
• Rainfall combined with melting of the low-elevation snow pack typically cause winter and early spring floods.
• Late spring/early summer floods in Eastern Washington result primarily from melting of the snow pack.
• Thunderstorms typically cause flash floods during the summer in Eastern Washington; on rare occasions, thunderstorms embedded in winter-like rainstorms cause flash floods in Western Washington.

We have seen the danger and damage floods have caused across Washington over the last few years. Mitigation is the first step toward minimizing the impact of a flood or any disaster. Mitigation is defined as the actions taken to eliminate or reduce long term risk to life, property, and the environment from natural and technological hazards (sometimes this may be referred to as prevention).

Mitigation activities related to flooding can include wet and/or dry flood-proofing your home, building flood walls, clearing storm drains, depression gardening, and especially - establishing your need for flood insurance. Learn more about the actions you can take to minimize your risk.  

• Important safety information:
  • Food safety - when flooding occurs
  • Emergency food supply - how much do you need
• Flood related information:
  • What is urban flooding?
  • Why you need flood insurance
  • Myths and facts about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
  • Lookout for landslides
• How to information:
  • Preventing flooding around your home
  • Sandbagging - First line of defense (USACE)
  • Pumping out a flooded basement
  • Protecting your home from backflow
  • Cleaning up and drying out your home
  • The problem with mold

More information about floods