Flooding Returns to Snohomish, WA After Recent Downpours

Residents remain cautious but largely unconcerned after similar flooding in December

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:35am

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Snohomish, Washington has experienced a second round of flooding in recent months, with heavy rain and snowmelt causing roads to wash out and some areas to be closed off. Officials are monitoring water levels and releasing water from the Culmback Dam as a safety precaution, but most residents are not overly concerned after dealing with similar flooding in December.

Why it matters

Flooding is a recurring issue in the Snohomish area, and these latest incidents highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and preparedness as the region deals with the impacts of heavy rainfall and snowmelt. The community's resilience in the face of these challenges is noteworthy.

The details

On Friday, March 20, 2026, floodwaters returned to parts of Snohomish, washing out roads and forcing the closure of some areas. Officials from the Snohomish County PUD are closely monitoring water levels and have opened the base of the Culmback Dam to release some water and reduce the risk of overflow. This is described as a normal safety measure. While residents remain cautious, many are not overly concerned, having dealt with similar flooding in December. One neighbor, Susan Summerfield, said the current conditions are not as bad as the previous flooding event.

  • On Friday, March 20, 2026, floodwaters returned to parts of Snohomish.
  • In December, the same area experienced widespread flooding.

The players

Snohomish County PUD

The public utility district that is monitoring water levels and releasing water from the Culmback Dam as a safety precaution.

Susan Summerfield

A Snohomish resident who has experienced the recent and previous flooding events, and is not overly concerned about the current conditions.

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What they’re saying

“With all of the recent heavy rains, it's coming down on snow, so it's also melting the snow that's up near Spada Lake.”

— Erica Keene, Snohomish County PUD

“We have staff that monitor the spillway 24/7 and earlier, we opened the base of the dam to release some water to make it so that when we hit spill, it will lessen the amount that we end up spilling, and we're also running our Jackson hydroelectric project at full generation to produce clean electricity.”

— Erica Keene, Snohomish County PUD

“I was here in December, and it was worse. There are a few roads that are flooded that you can't use that I normally use, but give it a few days and it'll be all gone and people will forget.”

— Susan Summerfield

What’s next

As they monitor the levels, people who live near the flood-prone areas are also keeping an eye on the river.

The takeaway

This latest round of flooding in Snohomish highlights the ongoing challenges the community faces with heavy rainfall and snowmelt, but also demonstrates the resilience of residents who have weathered similar events in the past. The coordinated efforts of local officials to manage water levels and communicate with the public are crucial in ensuring public safety during these incidents.