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Flood recovery
A round up of resources from across King County to help you respond to and recover from the extensive December 2025 flooding in our region.
Updates and information about severe weather conditions
The King County Emergency News blog has the latest information about evacuations and open shelters.
Sign up for ALERT King County to get free, real-time notifications about potential hazards and threats in your area.
Check our Flood Warning app for real-time river level information
Whether you rent or own, property damage caused by flooding can feel overwhelming and stressful. These resources are meant to help you navigate the next steps as safely and easily as possible.
Health and safety tips when entering flooded property
- Turn off utilities before re-entering.
- Do NOT touch electrical equipment while touching water - call your utility to disconnect.
- Avoid touching flood water and wash hands (and pets).
- Wear an N95 mask, gloves, goggles, and protective gear when cleaning.
- Open windows and doors and pump out water after flood waters recede. Mold can grow within 24-48 hours after a flood.
- Throw away any garden produce and food that has touched flood water.
- Food in sealed containers can be used if washed before opening.
- If you have a flooded septic system, don't use your septic system during a flood. Disinfect your septic system after the flood. After flooding subsides, contact an on-site sewage system maintainer to check that the flooding did not damage your septic system.
- If you have a flooded private water system or well, use only bottled, boiled (rolling boil for 1 minute), or treated water. Review the information about flooding on our drinking water emergencies page.
Public Health - Seattle & King County has more flood health and safety resources (in 26 languages) available, including:
- What to wear before entering a home or building with mold damage
- What you can safely keep
- Soil and garden safety
Washington State DSHS Disaster Cash Assistance
Disaster Cash Assistance for eligible households affected by flooding in King County is available December 17, 2025 to January 15, 2026.
To apply, call the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or visit your local Community Services Office between 8 am and 2 pm, Monday through Friday.
Additional financial assistance programs may come available.
Resources for renters, property owners, and business owners
Information to help you report impacts to your home or property, and understand the resources that may be available to help you.
Help us understand damage in King County
Your answers to our impact surveys help King County estimate how much damage has happened in our area. This helps us figure out if we can apply for disaster assistance for impacted people and property. Please take the survey that applies to you:
- Residential damage (King County Office of Emergency Management Residential Impact Survey)
- Business damage: (King County Office of Emergency ManagementBusiness Impact Survey)
Damage level definitions
When assessing damage and filling out the survey, use these definitions:
- Affected
- Waterline in the crawl space or unfinished basement
- Damage to attached structures, gutters, landscaping, or downed trees that do not block access
- No damage to essential living spaces or mechanical systems
- Minor Damage
- Waterline below electrical outlets on the lowest floor with essential living space
- Damage or contamination to a private well or septic system
- Major Damage
- Waterline at or above electrical outlets in essential living spaces
- Waterline on the first floor, even if the basement is fully submerged
- Destroyed
- Collapse of major structural components (foundation, walls, roof)
- Waterline at or above the ceiling of a living space
- Only the foundation remains
- Home is at immediate risk (landslide, mudslide, sinkhole)
Note: Damage may be considered major even if water stays below electrical outlets when:
- Flooding lasted a long time
- Water contained sewage, fuel, or chemicals
- Mechanical systems in the basement were damaged
Document and file an insurance claim
Accurate documentation is essential for insurance, and potential FEMA assistance. Contact your insurance agency as soon as possible.
- Gather your information: Have your home, business, or renters flood insurance policy number, insurance company contact information, and personal details ready.
- Document the disaster: Record the date, time, cause of damage, and a detailed description of what happened.
- Make a list of damaged or missing property: List everything that is damaged or missing. Take clear photos and videos of all damage and high water marks, inside and outside your home.
- Save all receipts: Keep receipts for repairs, replacements, and any disaster-related costs. These may be reimbursed. If you use a contractor, make sure you verify their registration with Washington Labor and Industries.
- Act quickly: Photograph and record damage before cleaning up, repairing, or discarding items.
- Record serial numbers: Document serial numbers for electronics and appliances when possible.
- File your claim.
Homeowners insurance and mold
Most standard insurance policies for homeowners, renters, and businesses do not cover mold, fungi, rust, or rot. Mold is usually treated as a maintenance issue rather than sudden disaster damage.
Check your policy or speak with your agent to confirm your coverage.
Property tax relief
If your personal or business property has been damaged/destroyed, you may qualify for property tax relief.
Property repairs in unincorporated King County
You may need a permit to fix property damage. Your first steps are to secure the site, and then check with your local jurisdiction to learn your area’s permitting requirements before making repairs.
For properties in unincorporated King County, these 2 resources provide more information about the process:
Video: Get a permit to fix property damage as a result of a natural disaster (YouTube)
Property damage assessment inspection
Depending on the damage to your property, and where your property is located, there may be other required permits. These include:
- Floodplain development permit if you are in a special flood hazard area
- Plumbing and gas piping permits from Public Health – Seattle & King County
- On-site sewage systems permits from Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Electrical permits from Washington Labor & Industries.
Clean-up and debris disposal
You can bring garbage, recycling and yard waste to King County solid waste facilities. Explore the facilities guide for information about accepted materials (available in 7 languages).
We are also working with our partners to establish debris collection sites outside of our regular facilities. Locations and more information will be shared with residents as soon as possible.
Free weekend storm debris drop-off
King County Solid Waste will accept self-haul, storm-related garbage and yard waste (free of charge) at 3 facilities on Saturdays and Sundays, December 20 through January 11:
- Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
- Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station
- Enumclaw Recycling and Transfer Station
Note: Outside of these dates, facilities remain open during their normal hours, and disposal fees apply.
If you are able, please sort your materials before dropping off flood debris.
- Separate yard waste from garbage
- Keep hazardous waste apart from other debris.
Two more temporary locations added only for storm debris disposal on December 20 and 21
- Ravensdale Park temporary drop site
27025 SE Kent Kangley Road
Ravensdale, WA 98051
December 20 and 21, 8:30 am to 3 pm - Issaquah-Fall City temporary drop site
31015 SE Issaquah-Fall City Road
Fall City, WA 98024
December 20 and 21, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Trailers will not be allowed at temporary drop-off sites. There are also some items we cannot accept at these locations:
- Major appliances
- Computers, monitors, and TVs
- Motor vehicles and major automotive parts
- Lithium, vehicle, or marine batteries
- Pressurized tanks (propane, helium, etc.)
- Sharps and medical waste
- Construction and demolition materials and waste that contains asbestos
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
- Oil-based paint
- Hazardous or dangerous waste
- Dead animals
Please bring ID and look for staff members and flaggers who will guide you on where to unload. Waste compliance staff members will be onsite to assist with questions about acceptable items. Staff members cannot help you unload items.
Hazardous waste
Hazardous materials can leak harmful toxins into floodwater and put you, your home, family and community at risk. These materials include:
- Batteries
- Old paint
- Lawn care products
- Other chemicals These materials can only be disposed of at certain King County locations. Disposal and collection of hazardous waste is free! Don’t put it in the trash.
What to do with hazardous waste after a flood
- If any hazardous products got wet or damaged, set them aside in a safe spot until you can bring them in for proper disposal.
- Do not open the containers or try to empty them. Leave the labels on so staff can tell what the product is.
- If something is leaking, place the whole container inside a sturdy bin or bucket to keep the mess contained.
- Keep everything away from kids and pets.
- If you have hazardous product spills:
- Only try to clean up spills once the water has gone down and the area is dry and aired out.
- Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection while you clean.
- Do not mix products while you clean. Some chemicals react when they touch each other.
If you have any questions, contact the Hazardous Waste team at haz.waste@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-4692.
Used sandbags
- Sandbags that came into contact with floodwater are usually considered contaminated.
- If your sandbag is rain-soaked but did not touch floodwater, you may save it for reuse. Dry out the bag before storing to prevent mold and damage.
- Take your used sandbags to a King County solid waste facility. Disposal fees apply.
- Do not pour sand from sandbags onto streets or in your yard, down a drain, or into any lakes, rivers, or streams. This can cause dangerous conditions for drivers and harm our storm drains and wetlands.
Damaged vehicles or vessels? Do not abandon them!
Abandoned vehicles and vessels may be subject to fines or fees. Vehicles or vessels may be towed away at the property owner’s expense by a state-registered tow service. Contact your insurance company for additional guidance if needed.