Stanwood is built where the Stillaguamish River reaches salt water. The town sits on the river's delta between Port Susan and Skagit Bay, with Davis Slough separating it from Camano Island, and its elevation runs from about two feet above sea level near the river to roughly 190 feet in the hills to the northeast. Much of downtown lies within the 100-year floodplain, and the surrounding farmland has been diked since the 1870s.
The Restoration Job is a referral service, not a restoration company. Call (888) 317-9980 any hour and we will connect you with an independent provider that serves Stanwood, Camano Island and the north county. That provider assesses the damage and agrees on the work with you.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Stanwood. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
A Town on the Stillaguamish Delta
Near Stanwood the Stillaguamish splits into channels. Hatt Slough now carries most of the flow southwest into Port Susan, while the old river channel meanders past town toward Skagit Bay. That arrangement means floodwater here can be affected by both what the river brings down from Arlington and the Cascades and by conditions on the bay. The river has moved before: in the 1920s and 1930s a shift in its course forced riverfront businesses to relocate.
Dikes protect the low ground. They were first built by settlers in the 1870s, improved with Works Progress Administration projects in the 1930s, and upgraded again by the city in the 1990s. During major events, such as the December 2025 floods when the Stillaguamish ran close to its record levels, the integrity of those dikes is what stands between farm fields and streets and the river.
Downtown and East Stanwood: Two Old Town Centers
Stanwood grew as two rival communities: the original downtown near the river and East Stanwood, about a mile east around the Great Northern Railway depot. They merged in 1960, and the combined city's first major act was a sewer contract. Older homes and storefronts in both areas date back decades and may have aging drain lines and foundations near the water table. Low elevation means sewer and storm lines can back up when heavy rain coincides with high water, sending water up through floor drains and low fixtures.
Water that comes up from a drain should be handled as contaminated. Professional sewage cleanup includes removing affected porous materials and disinfecting before drying.
Wind, Rain and Salt Air Off Port Susan
Storms that cross Puget Sound in fall and winter hit the open delta and the Camano shoreline with little to slow them. Wind-driven rain gets past siding, window trim and roof flashing, and wet insulation in exterior walls can go unnoticed for weeks. Fallen limbs and wind damage to roofing open the way for more water. For roof openings and broken windows, providers offering storm damage cleanup can tarp the structure and dry the affected rooms. Check attics and exterior walls after any major windstorm, even if the ceiling looks fine.
Drying Out Without Trapping Mold
Snohomish County's lowlands receive most of their rain from October through March, and damp marine air keeps humidity high. On the delta, ground moisture can keep crawl spaces and slabs damp even after surface water drains. That combination makes mold a real risk after a flood or a long leak. Restoration providers typically pull wet materials, set dehumidifiers and air movers, and track moisture levels in framing and subfloors until they reach normal. If odor or visible growth appears later, a contained mold remediation addresses it along with the moisture source.
Before High Water Arrives in Stanwood
- Sign up for SnoCoAlerts with Snohomish County Emergency Management.
- Know your elevation and flood zone using FEMA's map service and the county Hazard Viewer.
- Move vehicles, valuables and papers to higher ground before roads close.
- Raise belongings off floors in garages and lower rooms.
- After water recedes, photograph damage, notify your flood insurer, and keep away from wet electrical systems until checked.
Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
Calls come in from across Stanwood, including:
- Downtown Stanwood
- East Stanwood
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Camano
- Warm Beach
- Conway
- Arlington
- Marysville
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downtown Stanwood in a flood zone?
Much of downtown lies in the 100-year floodplain, according to published descriptions of the city, and it relies on a system of dikes. Look up your specific address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. If you are in a mapped zone with a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance may be required, and it is separate from a homeowners policy.
How does Stanwood flooding differ from flooding upriver in Arlington?
Upriver in Arlington, the forks of the Stillaguamish rise and fall quickly in the valley. Near Stanwood, the river spreads across the delta near sea level and depends on dikes and bay conditions, so water can linger in low areas longer. Both areas are affected by the same atmospheric river storms.
Dirty water is bubbling up from a basement or garage drain in my Stanwood home. Now what?
Stop using water in the house to avoid adding to the backup, keep people and pets away, and avoid touching the water without gloves and boots. Call a plumber to check the line, and a restoration provider to clean and disinfect affected areas. Check whether your homeowners policy includes sewer backup coverage, which is often an add-on.