Flood Cleanup · Arlington, WA
Flood Damage Cleanup in Arlington, WA — When the Stillaguamish Comes Inside
Walking back into a house after the river drops is hard. There is mud on the floor, a waterline on the walls and a smell you will not forget. TDC Clean & Dry cleans up after Arlington floods from our Stanwood base. We take it from muddy floors to rebuilt rooms.
Local conditions
Living with the river in Arlington.
Arlington grew up where the North and South Forks of the Stillaguamish meet. Downtown sits on a bluff above that confluence, but homes, farms and roads in the valley below sit in the river's path. When heavy rain hits the Cascades, the water arrives here fast.
The river has been rising higher. It crested at 21.34 feet at Arlington on December 5, 2023, more than seven feet over its 14-foot flood stage. Two winters later, in December 2025, it topped the 19-foot major flood stage again.
Those floods reach real neighborhoods. In 2023, State Route 530 closed near Twin Rivers Park, and pastures and ballfields in Arlington Heights went under. County emergency managers say the valley typically floods every three to five years.
Floodwater is not clean water. It may carry bacteria and chemicals, along with mud and debris from farmland and roads upstream. Anything porous it soaks, from drywall to insulation, is treated as contaminated during cleanup.
Speed matters because of what comes next. EPA advises cleaning and drying a flooded home within 24 to 48 hours if possible. After that, mold can start on wet materials, and Arlington's damp winter air gives it no reason to stop.
The local data
Arlington flood risk in four numbers.
The Stillaguamish floods on a regular cycle, and recent crests have been among the highest on record. These figures show what Arlington homeowners in the valley are up against.
- Stillaguamish crest at Arlington on Dec. 5, 20231
- 21.34 ft
- Flood stage at the Arlington gauge; 19 ft marks major flooding1
- 14 ft
- Average November precipitation, the wettest month2
- 7.15 in
- EPA's window to clean and dry a flooded home3
- 24–48 hrs
Most floods arrive in the wet season, when Arlington averages its heaviest rain.2 Houses soaked in November face months of damp air before summer helps. About 62 percent of Arlington homes are owner-occupied, so many families are cleaning up homes they plan to stay in for years.4 A thorough cleanup protects that investment long after the water is gone.
Highest: Nov at 7.15 in. Lowest: Jul at 1.15 in.
View data table
| Month | in |
|---|---|
| Jan | 5.92 |
| Feb | 4.42 |
| Mar | 5 |
| Apr | 4.34 |
| May | 3.43 |
| Jun | 2.66 |
| Jul | 1.15 |
| Aug | 1.34 |
| Sep | 2.49 |
| Oct | 4.94 |
| Nov | 7.15 |
| Dec | 6.15 |
Sources
- 1. National Weather Service gauge ARLW1 and Snohomish County Emergency Management, as reported by KOMO News, FOX 13 Seattle and the Lynnwood Times (2023 and 2025)
- 2. NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals, Arlington, WA (station USC00450257) (1991–2020 normals)
- 3. U.S. EPA, Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air Quality (current guidance)
- 4. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, Arlington city, WA (2024)
Back in the house after the river went down?
Floodwater leaves contamination and hidden moisture behind, even after it drains. We can assess the damage and start cleanup as soon as it is safe to enter.
Our process
How we clean up after an Arlington flood.
Flood cleanup follows the water's path in reverse, from mud and debris down to dry framing. This is the order we work in across Arlington.
- 01
Reach you once the roads reopen
When State Route 530 and valley roads reopen, our crew makes the 22-minute run from Stanwood. We check safety first, including power, gas and structural concerns, before any work starts. Then we photograph everything for your claim.
- 02
Clear mud, debris and standing water
Floodwater and mud come out first with pumps and extraction equipment. In crawl spaces under valley homes, that often means working in tight space to reach every corner. Silt left behind keeps framing wet, so it all has to go.
- 03
Remove what floodwater contaminated
Carpet, pad, insulation and drywall below the waterline are bagged and removed. We cut drywall above the waterline so hidden wet material does not stay behind. Belongings that can be cleaned are set aside for you.
- 04
Clean, then dry under measurement
Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned, then dehumidifiers and air movers dry the structure. Daily moisture readings show when the house is truly dry, not just dry-looking. Arlington's damp winter air makes that measurement essential.
- 05
Rebuild with the same crew
Our crew replaces drywall, insulation, flooring and trim once drying is confirmed. Families near Arlington Heights get one company from mud-out to move-back-in. That keeps the rebuild on one schedule.
Warning signs
Flood damage to look for in an Arlington home.
Some flood damage is obvious, but much of it hides after the water leaves. Check for these signs once it is safe to go back in.
A waterline on walls or cabinets
The line shows how high the water rose, but moisture wicks well above it inside walls. Drywall and insulation above the line may still be wet.
Mud or silt in the crawl space
River silt under the floor holds moisture against framing and insulation. Valley homes along State Route 530 often have crawl spaces that need full mud-out.
Warped floors or doors that stick
Swelling floors and sticking doors mean the structure absorbed water. It rarely dries out on its own in Arlington's damp winter months.
A sour or musty smell after cleanup
An odor after the visible mess is gone means contaminated or wet materials remain. EPA's advice is to clean and dry within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Wet outbuildings and garages
Garages, barns and sheds flood too, and stored belongings can hold water for weeks. Rural properties east of town often need these spaces cleared as well. Tools, feed and stored furniture can all hold floodwater.
Why us
Why Arlington families call TDC after a flood.
Flood cleanup is a long job, and who you trust with it matters. These are the reasons valley homeowners choose our crew.
Close by when the Stillaguamish floods
Our crew is based in Stanwood, about 22 minutes away, and the emergency line is answered around the clock. When the river drops, we can be at your door quickly.
Contamination handled the right way
We treat floodwater as contaminated from the start, removing porous materials instead of drying them in place. That protects your health and the rebuild that follows.
Flood claim paperwork for Arlington homes
Photos, moisture logs and removal records support your flood insurance claim. We explain what adjusters need and bill insurers directly when coverage applies.
Mud-out to rebuild by one Arlington crew
The crew that cleans up also rebuilds, from crawl space insulation to kitchen cabinets. You avoid juggling contractors while recovering from a flood.
Around Arlington
Flood cleanup across the Arlington area.
Flood exposure in Arlington depends on how close a home sits to the river and how low the ground is. These are the areas where floodwater reaches most often.
Arlington Heights
Valley properties east of town saw pastures and ballfields flooded in December 2023. Homes, crawl spaces and outbuildings here need full cleanup when the river rises.
State Route 530 corridor
The highway closed near Twin Rivers Park during the 2023 flood. Low-lying homes along the corridor are among the first to take on water. Crawl spaces there often need full mud-out after a crest.
Old Town
Downtown sits on a bluff above the confluence, so river flooding rarely reaches it. Heavy rain can still flood basements in older homes near Olympic Avenue.
Kent Prairie
Level ground south of Old Town means stormwater can pool around foundations. Crawl spaces here can flood from heavy rain even without the river.
Smokey Point
Businesses near I-5 and State Route 531 can see stormwater flooding in heavy storms. We clean up commercial spaces so they can reopen quickly and safely for staff and customers.
Arlington FAQ
Flood Damage Cleanup questions in Arlington, WA
Straight answers to the questions Arlington homeowners ask most about flood damage cleanup. If yours is not covered here, call and ask the crew directly.
Is floodwater from the Stillaguamish safe to clean up myself?
It is not recommended. Floodwater may carry bacteria and chemicals, and contaminated drywall, insulation and carpet need proper removal rather than drying in place.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in Arlington?
Standard homeowners policies usually exclude flooding, which needs separate flood insurance. We document the damage for your flood policy and walk you through what the adjuster needs.
How soon should flood cleanup start?
As soon as it is safe to enter. EPA advises cleaning and drying within 24 to 48 hours, because mold can begin on wet materials after that.
What can be saved after a flood?
Hard, non-porous items can often be cleaned and kept. Porous materials soaked by floodwater, like carpet, pad, insulation and much of the drywall, usually have to be removed.
How often does the Stillaguamish flood in Arlington?
County emergency managers say the valley typically floods every three to five years. The river crested at 21.34 feet in December 2023 and topped major flood stage again in December 2025.
Do you clean up crawl spaces after a flood?
Yes. We remove mud and wet insulation from crawl spaces, clean and dry the framing and restore the vapor barrier. Crawl spaces are where hidden flood damage most often hides.
Reviews
What local homeowners say.
Real reviews from real clients on our Google Business Profile — unedited.
Get help now
Flooded when the Stilly rose? Our crew can help you recover.
Call (206) 719-4508 any time. We will clean up the floodwater, dry the structure and rebuild your home.
(206) 719-450824/7 emergency line · Monday – Sunday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm · Free inspections
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