The Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 13 unanimously proclaimed Oct. 13–17, 2025 as Flood Awareness Week and heard a briefing from the county Department of Emergency Management on flood risks, preparedness actions and ongoing mitigation projects.

The proclamation and briefing emphasized the Skagit River's flood history and urged residents to sign up for county alerts, make family evacuation plans and maintain emergency kits. Chief Julie de la Sada of the Department of Emergency Management said the county and its partners use a “ready, set, go” framework for public messaging and pointed residents to skagitcounty.net/alerts for Code Red notifications.

Flood Awareness Week, organizers said, reminds residents that the Skagit River has a long history of major flooding; presenters cited a historic 1815 event and the November 2021 crest near 37 feet at Mount Vernon, which inundated neighborhoods and prompted evacuations. Julie de la Sada credited coordinated work among dike and drainage districts, cities, the Army Corps of Engineers, public utilities and volunteer responders for reducing risk and improving response capability.

County staff described pre-flood-season coordination meetings that review the condition of dikes and response readiness across jurisdictions. Kevin Jackman, introduced as an emergency management coordinator and EOC manager, was credited with running training, exercises and alerts; Brian Gear, supervisor of mitigation and recovery, described several mitigation projects now in progress, including a command-van outfitting project to serve as a mobile command post, buyout work on a property damaged in the 2021 floods, and a home-elevation project to raise a house about 2 to 3 feet under a grant.

Joan, identified as the county’s lead planner, said the county is updating its hazard mitigation plan — a five-year update that expanded the plan’s annexes from 23 to 44 and will include a public survey in English and Spanish on mitigation actions. County officials also named other EOC positions and partners who participate in unified command and operations during events, including public works liaisons and city public-works staff who help maintain a common operating picture.

Speakers emphasized personal preparedness. De la Sada said residents should “know your flood risks” by checking whether homes, businesses or commutes are in a mapped flood plain, review insurance coverage, and be ready to evacuate when a Level 3 “go” alert is issued. She described how the county will provide informational magnets and materials in English and Spanish and invited residents to contact the DEM office for outreach materials.

Commissioners thanked emergency management staff for recent responses, including a late-night HAZMAT incident that county teams addressed before the briefing. The board also noted that prior investments, including use of ARPA funds, have helped fill capability gaps in equipment and staffing.

The board moved and seconded the proclamation and voted in favor; the motion carried with three ayes.

Less critical details: staff said some public events are less frequent later in the year but that November and December may still include outreach; Jeffs of several jurisdictions and dike districts participate in the county’s flood-fight consortium and are involved in seasonal planning and exercises.