Skagit County commissioners on Oct. 13 proclaimed Oct. 13–17, 2025, as Flood Awareness Week and heard a briefing from Chief Julie De LaSada of the Department of Emergency Management outlining flood risks and preparedness steps.

Chief Julie De LaSada told the board the Skagit River “is both a source of life and livelihood in our communities. It's also [one of our] greatest natural hazards.” She cited historic and recent flood levels, including a historical high recorded at 69.3 feet and the November 2021 crest near 37 feet at Mount Vernon that led to neighborhood inundation and evacuations.

The proclamation and briefing emphasized practical steps residents should take before and during flood season: know whether your home, business or commute is in a mapped floodplain; make a family evacuation and communication plan; sign up for Skagit County Code Red alerts; and prepare an emergency kit. De LaSada said about alert language the county will use that “when you get that alert, at level 3 go, it's really important that you do leave.”

De LaSada and emergency management staff described how the county coordinates with dike and drainage districts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, utility operators and municipal public works. Kevin Jackman, emergency management coordinator, was credited for EOC readiness and training work. Brian Gere, mitigation and recovery supervisor, described ongoing grant-supported projects carried out after the 2021 floods: a command van to serve as a mobile command post, buyouts of flood-damaged properties returned to natural state, and elevation projects that will raise vulnerable houses roughly 2 to 3 feet using grant funds.

Joan Cromley, lead planner for emergency management, said the county is updating its hazard mitigation plan with more agency participation — increasing from 23 annexes to 44 — and planned a public survey (English and Spanish) to solicit mitigation-action input. Several EOC partners and local public-works officials, including Blaine Chesterfield of Mount Vernon, also spoke to the importance of a shared operating picture during flood events.

Commissioners praised the county's system-wide approach. "It is very important that you look at the beautiful area we have in Skagit County... but we do have the threat for flood," Commissioner Wiesen said. Commissioner Browning added the county’s planning and coordination are “much, much better prepared” than in earlier decades.

The board moved and seconded the proclamation; commissioners signified their approval by saying “aye,” and the motion carried.

Less-critical details from the briefing included multilingual preparedness materials (English and Spanish), distribution options for refrigerator-magnet reminder cards, and that last week's partner meetings reviewed dike conditions and response capabilities. Staff also described a recent hazmat incident that required overnight response but did not continue to affect operations.

The proclamation directs county agencies and partners to carry out outreach and preparedness activities during Flood Awareness Week and reinforces ongoing mitigation and recovery efforts funded through grants and county investments.