Heavy rainfall and flooding have affected many roads and bridges across the county. This recovery will take time. Road maintenance crews and engineers will continue to inspect damaged areas, assess safety conditions, and make necessary repairs. Some roads and bridges may reopen soon; others will require longer-term work. We appreciate your continued patience with our teams as they work around the clock. 

• Check for road restrictions and closures
  • King County MyCommute (King County My Commute)
  • Washington State Department of Transportation Travel Center Map | WSDOT
• For transit, check if your route is affected via King County Metro Service Advisories and Service alerts | Sound Transit

Property damage caused by flooding can feel overwhelming and stressful. King County’s priority is keeping you safe and supporting your recovery.   

• King County Solid Waste Division facilities, including all transfer stations and drop boxes, remain open to self-haul customers and are accepting garbage, recycling and yard waste. Residents can find a list of King County Solid Waste facilities here, including disposal fees. A visual guide of accepted materials by station is available here.  
• King County is also working with our partners to establish debris collection sites outside of our regular facilities. Locations and more information will be shared with residents as soon as possible. 
• If you have questions about where to dispose of flood-related debris, contact Solid Waste Division Customer Service at solidwaste@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4466.   

Do you have used sandbags? 

• Sandbags that came into contact with floodwater are usually considered contaminated.  
• Take your used sandbags to a King County solid waste facility near you. Disposal fees apply. 
• Do not pour sand from sandbags onto streets or in your yard, down a drain, or into any lakes, rivers, or streams. This can cause dangerous conditions for drivers and harm our storm drains and wetlands. 
• If your sandbag is rain-soaked but did not touch floodwater, you may save it for reuse. Dry out the bag before storing to prevent mold and damage.  

Damaged vehicles or vessels? Do not abandon them!  

• Abandoned vehicles and vessels may be subject to fines or fees.  
• Vehicles or vessels may be towed away at the property owner’s expense by a state-registered tow service.  
• Owners should contact their insurance company for additional guidance if needed. 

Used batteries, old paint, lawn care products and other chemicals can leak harmful toxins into floodwater and put your home and community at risk. Here are some tips to keep you, your home or your business safe.  

What to do with hazardous waste after a flood: 

• If any hazardous products got wet or damaged, set them aside in a safe spot until you can bring them in for proper disposal. 
• Do not open the containers or try to empty them. Leave the labels on so staff can tell what the product is. 
• If something is leaking, place the whole container inside a sturdy bin or bucket to keep the mess contained. 
• Keep everything away from kids and pets. 

How to safely clean up hazardous product spills: 

• Only try to clean up spills once the water has gone down and the area is dry and aired out. 
• Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection while you clean. 
• Do not mix products while you clean. Some chemicals react when they touch each other. 

How to prepare for more heavy rains: 

• Move any hazardous products you still have to higher shelves (not above eye level) or storage spots that stayed dry last time. 
• Make sure containers are closed tightly and keep them in a plastic bin or secondary container if possible. 

More tips 

• Do not pour anything down storm drains, sinks or outside on the ground. This can carry chemicals right into our streams and lakes. 
• If the label is gone or unreadable, treat the item as hazardous. 
• Reach out if you have any questions. Our call center agents can walk you through what is safe to handle and recommend. Contact our Hazardous Waste team at haz.waste@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-4692. 

Asbestos during flood cleanup 

• Asbestos should not go in regular debris or to transfer stations. 
  Haz Waste does not accept asbestos, and asbestos is not accepted at King County or City of Seattle transfer stations. 
• Cedar Hills Landfill is the only disposal option. 
  Asbestos is accepted at Cedar Hills by appointment only and requires proper packaging and paperwork. 
• When in doubt, stop and get guidance. 
  If materials are known or suspected to contain asbestos, do not disturb or dispose of them with regular debris. Pause cleanup and get direction before moving or disposing of materials. 

Safety around surface water 

Rainfall and flooding have caused sewage overflows in many areas. Avoid touching all surface water (including lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and Puget Sound) at this time. 

If your home has flooded 

• Turn off utilities before re-entering (do NOT touch electrical equipment while touching water – call your utility to disconnect). 
• Avoid touching flood water and wash hands (and pets). 
• Flooded private water system or well? Only use bottled, boiled (rolling boil for one minute), or treated water. 
• Flooded septic system? Don’t use your septic system during a flood and disinfect it after the flood. After flooding subsides, call a maintainer to check that the flooding did not damage your septic system. Click here for a list of maintainers. 
• Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours after a flood. Open windows and doors and pump out water after flood waters recede.
• Wear an N95 mask, gloves, goggles, and protective gear when cleaning.
• More info at kingcounty.gov/floodrecovery 

If you live in unincorporated King County, you may need a permit to fix property damage. We’re committed to responding as quickly as possible. This video outlines the steps to take to get a permit to fix property damage as a result of a natural disaster.