Flood clean-up: County launches damage survey, issues safety guidance

Published 2:23 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2025

EVERETT — County officials are urging residents to report damage from the historic flooding that has hit the region in the past week.

The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management launched an online survey Tuesday for flood damage reports. Residents can access the survey at bit.ly/SnoCo-Damage-Report by clicking the “Flood Damage Survey Button.”

The survey will be open through Dec. 31.

Flood damage data could help the county secure disaster recovery funding and it’s important for residents to report damage as soon as possible, said Lucia Schmit, the county’s director of emergency management, in a press release Tuesday.

“Over the past week we have seen amazing support from first responders and neighbors within our community,” Schmit said. “Now we are trying to bring in support from outside to help with recovery. We don’t know if we will be successful with our request for Federal funds, but every survey with reported damage helps bring us closer.”

Along with completing the survey, residents should take lots of photographs, prepare a list of damages, and save all receipts from repair and clean-up, the release said.

Many recovery funding opportunities require the county to submit “timely and accurate” damage assessment, the release said. A damage assessment should show what was damaged and when, where and how the damage occurred. Understanding the flood damage will also help with other aspects of recovery planning, the release said.

“I urge people to prioritize their safety as they re-enter previously flooded areas, and to carefully document their damages,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said in the release. “Please fill out the survey if you were impacted by this devastating flooding. Gathering this information from residents and businesses will be crucial as recovery efforts continue.”

The county is currently working to capture damage to public infrastructure, the release said.

On Dec. 9, Somers issued an emergency proclamation after the first surge of water reached local rivers. The county’s emergency operations center has been activated since.

Although water began receding around Dec. 12, continuing severe weather has caused additional flooding in some areas, the release said. Strong wind gusts forecasted through Tuesday night could cause power outages, trees over roadways and increase the risk of landslides.

Emergency management staff are holding in-person events for residents who don’t have reliable internet access or need help completing the survey:

• 3-8 p.m. Friday, Evergreen State Fair Park, Longhouse Building, 14405 179th Ave. SE., Monroe

• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Startup Event Center, 14315 366th Ave. Se., Startup

Those who need assistance with the survey can also contact emergency management directly at DEM@snoco.org or 425-388-5060.

Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.