Storm Drain Maintenance

City crews work hard to keep storm drains clear and free of leaves and debris, but with thousands of drains in Woodinville, we could use your help! Flooding is one of the most common hazards in the United States and can be caused by a wide variety of hazards. In Woodinville, flooding is most likely to occur due to heavy rainfall or other events that overwhelm the City's drainage system. There are steps to take to reduce damage from and even prevent flooding.  

Mark Your Storm Drains

By marking storm drains we can better educate ourselves and our neighbors about the direct connection between storm drains and the water quality of our local creeks, wetlands, the Sammamish River, and the Puget Sound watershed.

The City of Woodinville has Puget Sound Starts Here markers to remind residents and visitors that our daily actions and pollution to storm drains directly impacts local water quality. To schedule a storm drain marking project in your neighborhood, contact the Surface Water Program Coordinator at leahm@ci.woodinville.wa.us

Keep Leaves and Debris Out of Storm Drains to Prevent Flooding

• Check storm drain grates and the surrounding area to make sure they are debris-free.
• Use a rake or shovel to remove debris away from storm drains, ditches, and road. Dispose of leaves in your gray yard waste cart or compost bin.
• Do not rake or blow leaves from your property into the street or drainage ditch. This can block the flow of water and impact water quality. You could be billed for clean-up by the City if found doing so.
• Never remove the grate from the storm drain opening. This does not unclog the system and creates a hazard.

Keep Snow and Ice from blocking Storm Drains

• Stand on sidewalk or parking strip (out of the road) and use a snow shovel or other tool to clear the snow and ice away. Try to clear a path for the water runoff.
• Clear your drain only if it is safe to do so.

Other Ways to Prepare

• Clear debris and leaves from roof gutters and downspouts.
• Test your sump pump to make sure it is in good working order before a storm. Consider installing a pump with battery backup in case of power outages.
• Consider storing sandbags if you have had past flooding. Do not store sandbags with sand inside them, this can wear them out and make them less effective.
• If your property is at risk of flooding and it is safe to do so, move items in basements and garages to higher ground or raise them off the floor on pallets.
• Consider purchasing or renewing a flood insurance policy. Homeowner's policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program
• Sign up for King County flood warnings and alerts.