Weather Preparedness

We Can All be Weather Ready

This content has been professionally translated in other languages.

Este contenido ha sido traducido profesionalmente a otros idiomas.

此內容已被專業翻譯成其他語言。

Nội dung này đã được dịch chuyên nghiệp sang các ngôn ngữ khác.

Qoraalkan waxaa si xirfad leh loogu turjumay luqado kale.

Ang nilalamang ito ay propesyonal na isinalin sa ibang mga wika.

이 콘텐츠는 전문적으로 다른 언어로 번역되었습니다.

We’re Weather READY! 

Winter weather is here, and we are ready. Seattle residents can prepare for and respond to rain, snow, and freezing conditions and follow us to get current service updates.  

Learn how to winterize your water pipes and manage a frozen pipe. Heavy rains can cause flooding or sewer backup. Unsafe road conditions can disrupt garbage collection. We have plans for it all! Read the checklists and follow us for service updates. 

Together, we can all be Weather READY! 

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Preparing for Rainstorms

Heavy rain can cause flooding, and, in some areas of Seattle, it can also overwhelm the sewer system and cause sewer backups and overflows.

SPU crews prepare for Seattle’s wet weather by checking key parts of our drainage system to clean it, perform maintenance, and make needed repairs.

  • Call (206) 386-1800 (interpretation services available) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to report flooding or sewer backups.
  • Report non-emergency storm-related damage and other issues in Seattle using the Find It, Fix It app.
  • Learn more about flood response.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather can cause frozen water pipes and unsafe road conditions for SPU contracted haulers, who collect garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste.

SPU works hard to prepare for these challenges so that, when winter storms occur, we can address impacts and support the community we serve.

  • Protect your home from water pipe breaks by disconnecting garden hoses, insulating outdoor pipes and spigots, and insulating pipes in your crawl space, basement, or attic. Learn more about preparing your water pipes.
  • Download the Recycle It App on your smartphone or tablet to stay updated about collection delays due to unsafe snowy and icy road conditions.
  • Follow SPU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for tips on how to prepare and information when winter weather hits.
  • Signup for AlertSeattle, the City of Seattle’s official emergency alert system, and stay updated about the City’s winter storm response

Frozen Pipes 

Cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and break. If that happens you should:  

Immediately close the main shut-off valve, which is usually in a basement, crawlspace, or garage, to stop flooding. If you cannot turn off the main shut-off valve, SPU customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a service charge.

Learn more about what to do if a water pipe breaks.

Collection Disruptions

SPU monitors the forecast and stays in close communications with our contracted haulers. SPU will send notification if unsafe road conditions will delay your garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collections.  

Check out the following for updates throughout the storm and winter weather event:  

More Resources

SPU on Facebook

Feed Unavailable

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.