Planning for flood hazards

Flood impacts in Washington

Increased temperatures driven by climate change are influencing variables that contribute to flooding. Storm surges, sudden snowmelt, and atmospheric rivers can exacerbate flooding.

In the United States:

• Inland floods are occurring more often.
• Flooding in coastal areas has doubled in the past 30 years.

The adverse effects of flooding include:

• Loss of human life
• Property and infrastructure damage
• Road closures, erosion, and landslide risks
• Crop destruction and livestock loss
• Threats to salmon and other aquatic species
• Health risks due to water contamination
• Housing displacement
• Economic impacts

What we're doing to help

County governments across the state are responding to flooding when it occurs. During a flood, local and tribal governments are relyining on assistance from our Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) to help clear debris, operate pumps, fill and stack sandbags, and support other local response efforts. 

We're working in partnership with local and Tribal governments to plan for, mitigate, and recover from flooding by providing technical assistance and grants to help communities better plan within a floodplain. These efforts help:

• Reduce life and property losses
• Protect and restore natural floodplain functions
• Decrease erosion
• Keep water clean
• Restore and maintain habitat for salmon and other fish and wildlife species