Snohomish County is extending a helping hand to flood-impacted residents by prolonging its solid waste voucher program. Originally set to expire on Jan. 18, 2026, the county announced the extension will allow residents more time to safely dispose of their damaged household items until March 19, 2026, per Snohomish's statement. This response comes in the wake of the December 2025 flooding that devastated local households, prompting a state of emergency declaration that allows for such measures to quickly and effectively maintain public health and safety.
The solid waste voucher program is available exclusively to Snohomish County households severely affected by the flooding, excluding business entities. In an effort to facilitate the disposal process, residents are not required to present formal proof of damage. Instead, addresses will be recorded at the point of voucher redemption to support evaluation and reporting after the fact. The voucher limitation is straightforward—one per load—and the vouchers detail what materials are deemed acceptable for drop-off.
A notable aspect of the program is the collaboration with waste haulers for those who need larger disposal containers due to substantial damage. Residents should understand, as highlighted by the county, that the provided voucher will cover the solid waste tip fee only. Costs involving the provision and transportation of the disposal container will still fall to the customer, and the contents must solely comprise of flood-damaged materials eligible under the program terms.
For convenience and accessibility, the county has made vouchers available at several locations across the region, including the American Red Cross in Everett and various police departments such as Granite Falls and Snohomish. Working hours are accommodating, with most sites open throughout the week to ensure affected residents have ample opportunity to pick up vouchers. A full list of where residents can obtain these vouchers, alongside pertinent operating times, is detailed on the official county website.
Additionally, the Disaster Assistance Center in Sultan will host voucher distributions on specific dates in January to further assist with relief efforts. These extensions and expansions of services demonstrate Snohomish County's commitment to its community's recovery and its understanding of the magnitude of the flood's impact on its residents.
