Hazards
There are many hazards that could affect the City of Lake Stevens and the surrounding areas. Some hazards are more likely to become emergency situations or disasters based on the city's location and how its developed. Understanding the risks your home, work, school, and community face is important. Use the Snohomish County Hazard Map to find the hazards that are most likely to affect the places you spend time at. Each hazard has its own risks and ways to prepare for them.
Heat
Heat is a seasonal hazard, mainly from late spring to early fall. Many homes and businesses don't have air conditioning so the buildings can heat up during the day and stay warm during the night, which can be dangerous. The heat can cause various health problems especially for those who are elderly, children, and those with underlying health issues. Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat related problems is important because they can be life threatening. Also knowing where and how you can stay cool is important to staying healthy. The City of Lake Stevens has two daytime cooling centers located at the Lake Stevens Library and at the Lake Stevens Senior Center. Within Snohomish County there are cooling centers in Libraries and Senior Centers, a full list can be found on Snohomish Counties Extreme Heat and Cooling Centers page.
Resources
- Get #SummerReady | Ready.gov
- Extreme Heat safety | American Red Cross
- Heat-Related Illnesses | CDC (PDF)
- Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist | American Red Cross (PDF)
- Prevent Heat Illness at Work | OSHA (PDF)
- Be Prepared for Extreme Heat | FEMA (PDF)
- Heat Safety | National Weather Service (PDF)
- Avoid Heat-related Illnesses and Death | National Safety Council
Severe Storm
The City of Lake Stevens gets a few big storms every year, they can take out power lines, trees, and cause damage to structures. Knowing how to stay safe during and after a storm is important but also knowing how to prepare for one. Powerlines are very dangerous when they fall or get damaged so staying away and reporting a downed line is the best course of action. These storms can also cause flooding, and depending on the season can bring in cold and ice or can spread wildfire. Staying up to date with weather advisories is important for doing last minute preparations and securing outdoor furniture.
Resources
Wildland Fire
Wildland fires can be especially dangerous and have the highest probability of occurring during the summer months when plants are dry. Although the City of Lake Stevens risk for wildland fire is not high Snohomish County has areas ranging from low to high risk and fire can spread unpredictably into areas that are seen as low risk. Fire can move quickly and knowing how to protect your home and property from fire is important. Work with your neighbors on how to best prepare your homes for wildfire.
Resources
- Wildfire Safety | American Red Cross
- Wildfire Preparedness | Snohomish County
- Community Wildfire Resilience Resource Library | Department of Natural Resources
- How to Prepare for a Wildfire (PDF)
- NFPA | Firewise USA
- Are YOU Wildfire Ready
- I Didn't Know That! Preparing Fire Safe Communities | U.S. National Park Service
Winter Weather
Winter conditions and storms can be very hazardous and are one of the most common hazards in the City of Lake Stevens. Being prepared for winter conditions is important, ice and snow can create unsafe conditions on roads and sidewalks. Heating your home can lead to house fires if done unsafely. Being prepared to shelter at home or work for a day or more is important in the winter.
Resources
- #Winter Ready | Ready.gov
- Winter Driving Guide | WSDOT (PDF)
- House Maintenance List | Take Winter By Storm (PDF)
- Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise | National Weather Service
- Safety Guidelines: During & After a Winter Storm | CDC
- Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist | American Red Cross (PDF)
- Preparing for a Winter Storm | CDC
- Cold Weather | Washington State Department of Health
On The Water
In the center of the City of Lake Stevens is Lake Stevens which is the largest natural lake in Snohomish County. The lake is 1,012.7 acres with a maximum depth of 150 feet. On the water safety is important for everyone to know and understand because any body of water could be a hazard, from the lake to a bathtub to a bucket. Children and weak swimmers are the most at risk, lifejackets should be worn if needed, and children should always be supervised. Being safe while on boats and watercraft is also important. Knowing the laws and understanding the dangers when on motorized watercraft can prevent dangerous situations.
Resources
- Preventing Drowning | CDC
- USLA's Top Ten Beach and Water Safety Tips | United States Lifesaving Association
- Drowning is Preventable | National Drowning Prevention Alliance
- Water Safety | King County
- Things to Know About Water Safety | American Red Cross
- Recreational Boating: Stay Safe on the Water | National Safety Council
- Cold Water Safety | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Floods
Floods are a common occurrence in Washington State; there are minor floods every year and then there is the potential for massive floods along with flash floods. The City of Lake Stevens has a high potential for flooding in some areas because of the streams and creeks that could overflow from rain and runoff. Knowing the danger that your home and area have for flooding is important because once it floods you could be stuck, and your home could have water damage.
Resources
Earthquakes
Earthquakes don't happen often in Lake Stevens but have the potential to be catastrophic. The Pacific Northwest has many fault lines that could cause a massive earthquake to hit the area, including the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Although there are no fault lines directly under the City of Lake Stevens, earthquakes in surrounding areas can and will affect the city.
Resources
Landslides
Landslides vary in size and damage; some are very small while others can take out buildings and roads. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has identified areas that have a higher potential to have landslides, but any slope has some risk of sliding. Knowing where in your community landslides have a higher probability of occurring is important, along with knowing the signs that a landslide is happening or will happen. When building or developing on your property, knowing what actions could increase or decrease your risk of landslides is important to think about. The City of Lake Stevens has some areas with higher landslide risk, but the main risk for damage is along the major roads that have a potential to be blocked or washed out.
Washington Geologic Information Portal: Landslide Risk
Health
Health related emergencies can happen anytime and can spread quite fast. This kind of hazard covers viruses and diseases that can affect people. These often spread by commonly touched surfaces and people coughing. There are ways to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick. The biggest ways to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated, clean surfaces, stay home if you're sick, and listen to health advisories given by the health department.