DOH offers health resources, safety tips, and ways to help Washington communities





News Release [ [link removed] ]




*For immediate release:* December 16, 2025                                           (25-153)

*Contact:* DOH Communications <[email protected]>

Severe storms and cold, windy weather threaten health across Washington

DOH offers health resources, safety tips, and ways to help Washington communities

*OLYMPIA* – Communities across Washington continue to cope with the effects of recent flooding and severe storms, with additional hazardous weather expected this week. Families have been displaced, access to services disrupted, and recovery efforts continue in many parts of the state. The National Weather Service forecasts [ [link removed] ] blizzard-like conditions for much of the state tonight, creating additional risks to health and safety and likely to cause power outages.

During cold weather [ [link removed] ]:


* *Dress in layers:* Wear a hat, gloves, and warm clothing to prevent hypothermia. Hypothermia is a serious, potentially deadly condition [ [link removed] ]. Signs include uncontrolled shivering, feeling extremely tired, and slow or unclear speech. If you or someone you know shows these signs, seek shelter, additional clothing layers, and heat, and get medical help as quickly as possible.
* *Check on* elderly relatives, friends, neighbors, or anyone with limited mobility.
* *Prevent carbon monoxide and fire hazards:* Never use a generator or charcoal grill indoors and do not heat your home with open-flame equipment, including stoves or ovens. Keep generators away from windows and vents. These precautions can prevent fires, carbon monoxide poisoning [ [link removed] ], and death.
* *Protect pets:* Ensure pets are safe [ [link removed] ] and sheltered from the cold.
* *Power outages possible:* If your health depends on electronic medical devices, please ensure you have backup power.
* *Limit travel:* Don’t drive if you don’t have to. Turn around, don’t drown. Never drive through standing water.

In addition to cold weather, flooding continues to pose health risks [ [link removed] ], including exposure to mold and contaminated water, interruptions to medical care, and increased stress and anxiety. These challenges can intensify during the holidays, when respiratory illnesses spread more easily and emotional strain is often higher.

Anyone who needs help can call 211 [ [link removed] ], which connects people to local resources for housing, food, health care, and other essential services. Help is available statewide, 24/7. The Washington 211 line also has information about warming centers, emergency shelters [ [link removed] ], and other resources. To access it, call 211 or visit the Washington 211 website [ [link removed] ].

For those who are able, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) encourages supporting trusted disaster relief organizations assisting communities impacted by flooding, such as:


* American Red Cross [ [link removed] ]
* United Way [ [link removed] ]
* Evergreen State Fair for emergency livestock stabling [ [link removed] ]

DOH remains committed to protecting the health of all Washingtonians during this challenging time. Wherever you are, know that you are not alone. By taking care of ourselves and one another, we can support recovery and help keep our communities safe and healthy.  

Our website [ [link removed] ] is your source for "a healthy dose of information". Get updates by following us on social media [ [link removed] ].

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Visit the DOH Newsroom [ [link removed] ] for all news releases. 
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Washington State Department of Health [ [link removed] ] is your source for a healthy dose of information. 








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Health · 101 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]

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