DelBene Unlocks $300,000 for Flood Prevention in Snohomish County

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that Snohomish County will receive nearly $300,000 for flood prevention efforts. The resources will allow the county to make life-saving investments to protect communities at increasing risk of severe flooding. The funding, initially approved in June 2025, was held up awaiting the signature of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

"Our communities don't have the time or ability to wait month after month for the federal resources they need to help prepare for the next natural disaster. Washington has faced more frequent and intense flooding in recent years. These resources will help the county better prepare to protect lives and property," said DelBene. "By finally unlocking these funds, communities along the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and other river systems and waterways will be better prepared for future flooding."

"December's flooding highlighted how critical flood mitigation measures can be in ensuring that our residents live in prepared and resilient communities," said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. "This grant will help give us more information about what needs to happen to keep people and property safe. It provides the resources for us to look holistically at flood infrastructure countywide, specifically dikes and levees, so that we can work with partners on identifying and addressing areas of concern."

In December 2025, DelBene, along with Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), called on then-Sec. Noem to release the funding that had already been held up for six months at that point, as Washington was facing another round of extreme weather and flooding.

The funding was announced as part of a $21 million FEMA investment to support flood mitigation in Washington and Oregon. The full FEMA announcement can be found here.

The letter to Sec. Noem can be found here.