River and stormwater flooding around Seattle
Most Puget Sound flooding comes from atmospheric rivers: several days of heavy rain that push rivers over their banks and overload storm drains. In December 2025, a week of that rain brought record flooding on the Cedar River in Renton, where the river crested above its 1990 record on December 11 and water entered homes along SE Jones Road. On December 15, the Desimone Levee on the Green River breached in Tukwila, leading to a GO NOW evacuation of part of the city. Away from the rivers, the same storms flooded basements and crawl spaces across the region. Our guide to atmospheric river flooding in Seattle covers the first steps in more detail.
Why floodwater is treated as contaminated
Floodwater from rivers, streams and overflowing storm drains can carry sewage, soil and chemicals. That changes the cleanup. Instead of drying everything in place, we:
- Pump out water and mud from living areas, basements and crawl spaces.
- Remove contaminated porous materials: drywall and insulation below the water line, carpet and pad, and crawl space insulation and vapor barrier.
- Clean and disinfect framing, subfloors and hard surfaces the water touched.
- Dry the structure and confirm it with moisture readings, not by how the surface looks.
- Document the water line, removed materials and belongings with photos and an itemized scope.
- Rebuild once the structure is dry.
If the water is mainly in a basement, see flooded basement cleanup.
What to do right now
- Wait for the all-clear. If you were evacuated, return only when officials say it is safe.
- Check for hazards. Avoid weakened floors and walls, and keep utilities off until emergency officials say it is safe to turn them on, as the Washington State Department of Health advises. If you smell gas, leave.
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and boots, and wash with soap and clean water after touching floodwater.
- Take photos and video of the water line and damage before anything is removed.
- Call your insurer and call us. Flooding from outside usually needs a separate flood policy; our guide to homeowners insurance and water damage in Washington explains the difference.
When to call for flood cleanup
Call when floodwater has entered living space, a basement or a crawl space, when water came from outside or a storm drain, or when you can’t get the building dry within 24 to 48 hours. Flood cleanup is part of our storm and disaster restoration service. If wind also damaged the roof, see emergency roof tarping; for flooded businesses, see commercial storm damage restoration.
We clean up after floods in Renton, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn and across King and Pierce County.
Call (206) 203-6155 for storm and flood cleanup, 24/7.
