Environment

Adopt A Stream Foundation hosts free screening of “FISH WARS”

The film covers Indigenous peoples’ fight for respected sovereign rights during the 1960s and 70s.

 

Spada Lake is seen from Culmback Dam on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, near Sultan, Washington. The reservior supplies roughly 75% of Snohomish County with its water. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Climate change poses challenges for reservoir management

Snohomish PUD discusses how recent weather patterns narrow the margins of error for Spada Lake.

 

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

New study shows benefits of fully funding wildfire resilience bill

The study comes on the heels of the Legislature cutting the bill’s budget by roughly half last year.

 

Beds at the east Everett cold weather shelter on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Get your hats and gloves out, Snohomish County

Nighttime temps will drop below freezing through the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

Beds at the east Everett cold weather shelter on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Kevin Stevens, a resident of Three Rivers Mobile Home Park, talks about the damage his home endured due to flooding on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A month after the floods, residents try to return to normal

Recovery resources are available, including funds to replace damaged or lost items.

Kevin Stevens, a resident of Three Rivers Mobile Home Park, talks about the damage his home endured due to flooding on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

With December’s floods, are we still in a drought?

Scientists say current conditions don’t look good for the state to rid itself of drought conditions by summer.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington State Department of Transportation avalanche technicians assess a slide on Hwy. 20 near Liberty Bell Mountain. (WSDOT photo)

Northwest Avalanche Center offers free Saturday course in Everett

Learn how to find avalanche forecasts and access avalanche risks at the Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Northwest Stream Center.

Washington State Department of Transportation avalanche technicians assess a slide on Hwy. 20 near Liberty Bell Mountain. (WSDOT photo)
People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Temporary flood assistance center to open in Sultan

Residents affected by December’s historic flooding can access multiple agencies and resources.

People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bob Danson, the general manager of the Olympic View Water and Sewer District, speaks to the Edmonds City Council in favor of an updated critical areas ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Edmonds adopts Critical Areas Ordinance with new aquifer area restrictions

After months of back and forth, the city council approved updates that proponents say better protect the town’s drinking water.

Bob Danson, the general manager of the Olympic View Water and Sewer District, speaks to the Edmonds City Council in favor of an updated critical areas ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Eastview Village critics seek appeal to overturn county’s decision

Petitioners, including two former county employees, are concerned the 144-acre project will cause unexamined consequences for unincorporated Snohomish County.

A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kathy Johnson walks through vegetation growing along a CERCLA road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Activism groups to host forest defense meeting in Bothell

The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County and the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance will discuss efforts to protect public lands in Washington.

Kathy Johnson walks through vegetation growing along a CERCLA road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Delay on Critical Areas Ordinance update draws criticism from groups

Edmonds is considering delaying updates to a section of the ordinance that would restrict stormwater wells near its drinking water aquifer.

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Back to rain and snow in Snohomish County in time for the new year

The last few days of blue skies will give way to rain in the lowlands, with 5-8 inches of snow also expected in the Cascades

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Christmas Eve wind advisory canceled for Snohomish County

Western parts of Snohomish County were previously projected to see wind gusts up to 50 mph on Wednesday afternoon, but the storm’s strength quickly weakened.

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An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lawmakers seek answers about BP’s Olympic Pipeline leak in Snohomish County

Following November’s leak, lawmakers sent 11 questions to the oil giant, asking for answers by Jan. 8.

An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

More than 9K Snohomish County residents without power, and more wind possible

A wind advisory says gusts of 40 to 50 mph gusts are forecast Thursday for areas in Snohomish County.

Water from the Snohomish River spills onto a road on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

How we covered the record-breaking flood

A special edition of Eliza Aronson’s newsletter detailing her and photographer Olivia Vanni’s week of flood coverage.

Water from the Snohomish River spills onto a road on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish PUD crews repair a power line that was hit by a downed tree along Cypress Way on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

High wind warning in effect for northwest Snohomish County

Key developments:

  • “Damaging” wind gusts of up to 55 mph are expected.
  • Residents should prepare for downed trees and widespread outages.
  • Flood warning extended for Skykomish River near Gold Bar

Snohomish PUD crews repair a power line that was hit by a downed tree along Cypress Way on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bob Hammond wades through the water covering Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Live Updates: Boating home on Skywall Drive

Key developments:

  • Snohomish Regional Fire Rescue: 26 people rescued since Wednesday evening.
  • Rescue swimmers help evacuate Snohomish residents and pets.
  • Skykomish resident: “To see the waves rolling along is just like, wow, it’s incredibly powerful.”

Bob Hammond wades through the water covering Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Floodwater from the Snohomish River partially covers a flood water sign along Lincoln Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Flood resources: Where to find emergency shelter, sandbags

As the county remains under flood warnings due to record-breaking river flows, cities are offering resources for those affected.

Floodwater from the Snohomish River partially covers a flood water sign along Lincoln Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)