Winter high tides

November through February, we experience our highest tides. If you live, work or play near our region's tidal waters, especially the Duwamish River, it is important to plan for and track these high tides.

For the 2024-2025 season, our highest tides are expected:

• November 14-19
• December 10-19
• January 1-8
• January 13-16
• January 30-February 4

Every year, Seattle Public Utilities is ready for wet weather and high tide season. We monitor storms, tides, atmospheric pressure and more so we can prepare for and respond to flooding events. We encourage you to learn more about how you can be prepared for flooding at Seattle's Flood Safety web page, and to sign up for the City of Seattle's official emergency alert system, AlertSeattle.

As always, people should call 911 for emergencies but call SPU's 24/7 Operations Response Center at (206) 386-1800 for urgent flooding or sewer backup issues.

South Park

For years, South Park has experienced stormwater flooding and sewer backups during heavy rain, and high tides made these issues worse. This was especially true on December 27, 2022 when low atmospheric pressure during high tide caused the Duwamish River to overtop its banks.

Seattle Public Utilities is continually working to support South Park residents and businesses and address flooding issues. For the 2024-2025 season, this means:

• We again installed the South Park flood control wall. If the river is predicted to overtop its banks, we will close wall openings and use pumps to move water back into the river.
• Our South Park Pump Station, completed in 2023, continues to reduce flooding by pumping stormwater into the river during rain events.
• Homes with identified sewer backups now have grinder pumps.
• Sandbags are available to residents and businesses to help them protect their property.
• We have developed a response plan specific to this area and SPU staff are on the ground during high tide periods to respond to urgent needs.

SPU sends email updates about South Park flooding preparedness. Signup is available on SPU's South Park Flooding website.