Warning System

Flood Warnings

In 2012, the city of Sultan partnered with Snohomish County Fire District 5, the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD,) the Sultan School District, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to install four emergency warning sirens. The siren system is tested every day at noon with a chime. In case of a real emergency, the warning siren has prerecorded voice messages giving instructions on what residents should do. Flood warnings should be provided several hours prior to a dangerous situation. Contact Sultan City Hall at 360-793-2231 or Snohomish County Fire District 5 at 360-793-1179 for more information.

During heavy rains, Snohomish County Officials begin a “flood watch” and activate the Flood Warning Operations Center at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in Everett. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses information from the River Gauges and forecasts to make flood predictions. Phase 2 is the official flood stage used by NWS to issue watches, warnings, or statements. The DEM center updates the warnings based on continuous river flow and stage (water level) data received from river gauges and information from volunteer “river watches” and County Fields Staff. During the flood watch, close coordination occurs between Snohomish County’s DEM,  Department of Public Works and Sheriff’s department.

The County also coordinates with the Army Corps of Engineers about status of dikes and with emergency service agencies such as the Red Cross, for help with persons evacuated from their homes. Agency responses occur in four phases depending on the severity of expected flooding, with Phase 4 being the most severe.

To get information on flooding, keep your radio tuned to a local radio station or contact Snohomish County DEM at 425-423-7635.

Flood Evacuation Route

Follow 8th Street “Evacuation Trail” to Loves Hill Drive.