CONTACT: Daniel DeMay, 206-265-9197
The King County Flood Control District (Flood Control District) on Tuesday, September 8 announced the recipients of the 2026 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program, awarding $14,307,027 to 39 projects across King County aimed at reducing flood risks and improving resilience for local communities.
The Flood Reduction Grant Program was created in 2014 to provide a flood reduction benefit focusing on geographic equity, funding smaller flood reduction projects that generally would not be part of the Flood Control District’s capital program. The program was expanded in 2020, adding three application categories. Today, the Flood Reduction Grant Program is comprised of four different categories: (1) original flood reduction grants; (2) urban flooding and small stream erosion; (3) coastal erosion and sea level rise; and (4) culvert replacement and fish passage. This year, the application process included a new scoring criterion – 10 additional points for projects responding to new or exacerbated issues related to the 2025/2026 flood season.
“The Flood Reduction Grant Program is a vital tool for strengthening communities throughout King County,” said Reagan Dunn, Chair of the King County Flood Control District. “This year, grants were awarded to applicants representing all nine King County Council Districts. The equitable distribution of funds across both urban and rural areas ensures county residents benefit from reduced flood risks, healthier ecosystems, and stronger community resilience.”
The Flood Control District received 46 grant requests for the 2026 Flood Reduction Grant Program, totaling $33,213,081. The 2026 budget authorized $14,307,228. Therefore, the amount of grant requests exceeded the amount of funds available for the 2026 Flood Reduction Grant Program by over $18.9 million. There was at least one grant application from every King County Council District, including applications submitted by 19 cities, 1 county, 15 non-profits, 7 homeowners associations, 2 special purpose districts, and 2 land trusts. Of the 46 applications, 27 were in the original category; 12 were submitted in the urban flooding and small stream erosion category; 2 were for the coastal erosion and seal level rise category; and 5 were in the culvert replacement and fish passage category.
“The 2026 Flood Reduction Grant Program funding supports essential projects directly benefiting communities across the county,” said Sarah Perry, Vice Chair of the King County Flood Control District. “We’re grateful to continue Steve Bleifuhs’ legacy of steadfast commitment to reducing flood risks and protecting our communities with the grant awards named in his honor. The large volume of grant requests, which far exceeded the available funding, clearly demonstrates the significant need for this type of funding throughout the county.”
In October 2024, the Flood Control District’s Board of Supervisors renamed the program after Steve Bleifuhs, a long-time King County floodplain management leader. Bleifuhs, who passed away in July 2024, was instrumental in shaping flood hazard management in the county, including the development of the 2006 King County Flood Hazard Management Plan. For more information about the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program, please visit here.