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Flood Warning in effect for Pierce County Monday – Friday Morning. Rivers affected: Nisqually, Puyallup, Carbon, South Prairie Creek. Expect moderate to major flooding. Avoid flooded roads. More info:

Flood Preparedness

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Please refer to this page here for current updates across the area surrounding Heavy Rain & Flooding (Dec 10, 2025).

Staying Safe During Heavy Rain and Flooding

Heavy rain can cause rivers, creeks, and low-lying roads to rise quickly in the East Pierce area. This page gathers trusted resources in one place so you can:

  • Check road closures and travel conditions

  • Track river and creek levels

  • Learn how to prepare your home and family

  • Find sandbag locations in and around our service area

Conditions can change quickly. Always follow instructions from local law enforcement, the Department of Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service.

Stay Informed: Official Alerts & Local Updates

Emergency Notifications

EPIC – East Pierce Interlocal Coalition for Emergency Management

    • EPIC (the East Pierce Interlocal Coalition) includes the cities and towns of Bonney Lake, Buckley, Carbonado, Orting, Puyallup, South Prairie, Sumner, and Wilkeson.
    • Sign up for local emergency notifications here.
    • Sumner Residents: Per Sumner, if we need to send any notices of evacuations or impacts, we are using the Pierce County Alert system. To sign up your business or residence, go to PC Alert. It helps to sign up your full address. If you sign up just with your zip code, you’ll get all alerts for 98390 and not know if flooding is impacting your specific area or not.

Pierce County Alerts (PCALERT)

  • Countywide emergency notifications for unincorporated Pierce County and for cities that participate in the PCALERT system.
  • If you live within city limits, check whether your city uses PCALERT or has its own alerting system before signing up.

  • Sign up here for PCALERT.

Weather & Flood Information

National Weather Service – Seattle
Current watches, warnings, river forecasts, and weather updates.

Pierce County Flooding Information
Flood updates, preparedness tips, and response information here.

City and Agency: Social Media Channels & Websites

Conditions can vary widely across the East Pierce area. For the most accurate, location-specific information via Social Media, please follow:

Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM): Facebook

Your city or town’s official website and social media channels
Local street closures, sandbag availability, and community-specific updates.

National Weather Service – Seattle

EPFR will continue sharing updates relevant to our service area, but the sources above provide the most current and detailed information for your specific location.

Road Closures and Travel Information

Flooding, downed trees, and landslides can make travel hazardous.

Pierce County Road Alerts Map

  • View current roadway issues in unincorporated Pierce County here.

City streets and state highways

Safety reminders:

  • Never drive through standing water or around barricades.

  • “Turn around, don’t drown.” Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

  • Slow down, increase following distance, and use headlights in heavy rain.

Know Your Flood Risk

Some homes and properties are more prone to flooding than others.

  • Contact Pierce County Planning and Public Works to request a flood map or learn about flood risk on your property.

  • Ask about safe building and retrofit options if you live near a river, creek, or in a low-lying area.

  • Talk with your insurance agent about flood insurance. Most homeowner policies do not cover flood damage.

Flood Preparedness

Before Flooding

  • Make a simple family emergency plan. Include pets and livestock.

  • Know several routes to higher ground from your home, work, or school.

  • Build or update an emergency kit with food, water, medications, flashlights, and batteries.

  • Secure outdoor items that could be moved by water or wind.

  • Clear gutters and storm drains around your home if you can do so safely.

  • Save important phone numbers, including your out-of-area emergency contact.

During Flooding

  • Monitor alerts from the National Weather Service, Pierce County, and local law enforcement.

  • Follow evacuation orders right away. Do not wait until water reaches your home.

  • Stay away from riverbanks, creek edges, and fast-moving water.

  • Keep children and pets away from floodwaters.

  • If your car stalls in water, leave it and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

  • If water is rising and you cannot leave your home, call 911, then move to a higher floor or the roof if safe.

After Flooding

  • Only return home when authorities say it is safe.

  • Watch for structural damage, gas leaks, electrical hazards, and live wires.

  • Do not use flooded electrical panels, outlets, or appliances until a professional has inspected them.

  • Throw away food and water that may have been contaminated.

  • Document damage with photos and contact your insurance company.

  • Check with your city or Pierce County before starting repairs. Some work may require permits.

Learn more from Pierce County’s Flood page.

Need Sandbags?

East Pierce Fire & Rescue (self-serve) – Please bring your own shovel to fill bags on site.

    • Station 119 – South Prairie Play Park

    • Station 116 – Behind the station

Who to Call

Life-threatening emergencies

  • Call 911 right away.

Road issues in unincorporated Pierce County

  • Report flooding, downed trees, or landslides on county roads: