By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
As the rainy season returns to the Pacific Northwest, so does the risk of flooding. In King County, flood season runs from October through April, bringing with it the potential for swollen rivers, rising groundwater, and storm-related impacts. Flooding remains one of the largest risks to people and property in our region, making preparation essential for every household and community.
Expanded Flood Preparedness Outreach
In July, the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) Board of Supervisors took a significant step to strengthen our community’s flood resilience. The Board unanimously approved a motion to expand flood preparedness outreach and education programs, helping to ensure that more residents across the county have access to the information and tools they need to stay safe.
The approved motion directs the KCFCD to expand its Be Flood Ready public outreach and education efforts, provide additional resources on best management practices for flood risk reduction, and increase support for community engagement to better prepare residents and businesses for flood season.
King County Flood Control District Chair Reagan Dunn emphasized the importance of this action, noting that the Board acted swiftly in July following the devastating flooding in Texas. “The flooding we saw earlier this summer in Texas was a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be upended when floodwaters rise,” Chair Dunn said. “Here in King County, we know floods are one of our most persistent natural hazards. By expanding our Be Flood Ready outreach and education programs, we’re giving our residents the tools they need to prepare, protect their families, and reduce risks before disaster strikes.”
This action reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to protect lives and property while empowering communities with knowledge to take proactive steps in reducing flood risks.
Updated Be Flood Ready Resources
In response to the Board’s direction, the KCFCD is enhancing its outreach tools this year in several new ways.
Be Flood Ready Brochure – 2025 Update
Each year, the KCFCD publishes its Be Flood Ready brochure. King County, a service provider to the District, provides support for the creation of the brochure. The District’s Be Flood Ready brochure not only delivers important flood preparedness information to the public, but the publication also helps King County receive Community Rating System (CRS) credits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA awards CRS credit to communities that implement more robust floodplain management activities beyond minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. These additional activities can include public outreach and community awareness messaging like the Be Flood Ready brochure. The FEMA CRS credit King County receives results in discounted premiums to policyholders of flood insurance throughout the county – the discount can range from 5% to 45%.
The Be Flood Ready brochure is mailed annually to residents across the county and is also available on the KCFCD’s Be Flood Ready webpage.
- The countywide version is available in 23 languages, reflecting our commitment to reaching residents of all backgrounds.
- Localized brochures are also created for Council Districts 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9. These are available in English and Spanish, with additional translation services available upon request.
- This year, in response to the board’s direction to increase the Be Flood Ready outreach, the brochure was expanded from a 4-page brochure, as it has been for years, to an 8-page brochure. The brochure’s expansion provided an opportunity to add more visuals, redesign the content, and add new graphic information, like the panel helping to explain the types of flooding that King County residents may experience.
New Be Flood Ready Video
For the first time, the KCFCD produced a Be Flood Ready video, which is now featured on the KCFCD’s Be Flood Ready webpage. This video provides residents with clear, practical guidance on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from flood events. It is also being turned into short clips which will be shared on social media throughout the flood season.
Additional outreach along the Duwamish River
Another first for the KCFCD – this year, properties along the Duwamish River will also receive a postcard providing the dates for potential King Tides expected during the 2025-2026 winter season. While not a scientific term, a King Tide is generally used to describe exceptionally high tides. Flood risks can increase along the Duwamish River during King Tides, particularly if these unusually high tides occur during a rain event.
More improvements to come
The KCFCD is continuing to research ways to improve flood preparedness outreach. For example, on October 2nd, KCFCD staff participated in a national panel discussion webinar on Flood Warning Systems hosted by the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA). Staff shared information about the flood preparedness efforts funded by the KCFCD and implemented by its service provider, King County. The discussion included reference to the King County Flood Warning System, Flood Warning App, Flood Alert program, and the Flood Warning Center.
KCFCD staff will continue to explore new ways to enhance and expand the Be Flood Ready public outreach and education program, while also developing additional resources on best practices for reducing flood risk. Efforts will include strengthening community engagement to help residents and businesses prepare more effectively for flood season. Staff will provide regular updates to the Board of Supervisors as we work toward further improvements in 2026 and beyond.
Staying Prepared Together
The KCFCD remains committed to investing in flood risk reduction projects and programs that help safeguard people, property, and essential infrastructure. At the same time, preparedness is something we all share. When households take time to understand local flood risks and create an emergency plan, together we strengthen King County’s flood preparation.
King County Flood Control District Vice Chair Sarah Perry reflected on the shared responsibility of flood readiness: “The King County Flood Control District’s work is fundamentally about helping to protect lives and property, but we cannot do it alone. Flood preparedness requires partnership between the District and the residents of King County. When individuals and families take steps to prepare, they strengthen the flood resilience of our entire community.”
Flood season is here, and now is the time to get prepared! Together, we can help reduce flood risks, protect our communities, and keep one another safe.
👉 Learn more about how you can Be Flood Ready
- Check out our Be Flood Ready webpage
- Be sure to install the Flood Warning app and sign up for Flood Alerts – both of these flood preparedness systems are funded by the KCFCD and operated by King County – and you can get them at King County’s Flood Warning System webpage.