Silver Firs is an unincorporated census-designated place in Snohomish County, lying northeast of Mill Creek. It covers about 14 square miles, almost all of it land, and includes large subdivisions such as Silver Firs and the Highlands. Until the 2010 census it was part of the larger Seattle Hill-Silver Firs area, before Eastmont, Mill Creek East and Clearview were drawn as separate places.
Fire & Water Energy connects callers by referral and does not carry out repairs. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to find an independent restoration contractor who covers this part of Snohomish County. Any match depends on independent companies with open schedules. Read how it works along with our disclosure page.
What the county's disaster record says about local risk
Snohomish County has been named in 16 FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000. Most were winter events: severe storms with flooding, landslides and mudslides in 2007 (DR-1734) and 2021 (DR-4593), the 2009 winter storm with record and near-record snow (DR-1825), flooding and mudslides in 2014 (DR-4168), a severe windstorm in 2015 (DR-4242), and storms with straight-line winds in 2026 (DR-4906).
Silver Firs itself has very little open water, so the main threats are wind, heavy snow and long rainy stretches rather than a river at the doorstep. The county's Flood Information Center tracks 16 river gauges, including the Snohomish River at the city of Snohomish, a few miles from Silver Firs.
Typical leak sources in a suburb of detached houses
About 95 percent of the area's homes are single-unit structures, and most are owner-occupied. In that kind of housing, the usual suspects are a burst water heater in the garage, a failed washing machine hose, a leaking dishwasher or fridge line, or a toilet supply that gives out while the family is away.
Outside, saturated lawns and blocked gutters can push water against foundations and into crawl spaces, and freezing snaps can crack hose bibs and garage plumbing. Restoration contractors usually stop the source, extract water, use moisture meters to find what is still wet, and keep dehumidifiers running until the readings drop. Read about emergency water removal and pipe burst damage.
Federal disaster declarations that included Snohomish County
FEMA records show Snohomish County was included in 16 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (12 severe storm, 3 flood, 1 mudslide/landslide, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Silver Firs was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4906)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4682)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4593)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4539)
- 2019 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado (DR-4418)
- 2016 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4249)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Silver Firs?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Silver Firs property.
After a house fire: soot, odor and water
Attached garages, kitchen stoves, fireplaces and space heaters are where many home fires begin. Smoke from even a contained fire can coat walls, enter the HVAC system and settle into carpets and clothing throughout the house.
A reputable company will usually board up and stabilize the home first, then clean or remove affected materials, clean contents that can be saved, and deodorize at the source. The firefighting water has to be dried out as part of the job. Our fire damage restoration and soot removal guides go into more detail.
Windstorm, snow and drainage problems
The 2015 windstorm and 2026 straight-line wind declarations point to the big storm risk here: trees and large limbs falling onto roofs and cars. Heavy snow can strain roofs and gutters, and rapid melt can overwhelm yard drainage and back water toward the house.
Snohomish County offers a Drainage Investigation Request form and a Report Flood Damage page through its Flood Information Center. Water that comes in from outside is generally treated as contaminated, so contractors commonly remove soaked porous materials, disinfect and dry. More: storm damage cleanup.
Keeping mold out of crawl spaces and walls
The long wet season keeps crawl spaces, attics with blocked vents and bathroom walls damp. When a leak goes unnoticed, mold can start in one to two days on drywall, insulation and subfloor.
EPA guidance allows homeowners to clean small patches, under about 10 square feet, with gloves, goggles and an N95 respirator. For larger growth, mold in ductwork, or mold after dirty water, hire a professional and ask about containment and post-cleanup verification. Learn more on the mold remediation page.
Safety steps for Silver Firs households
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or water touching wiring.
- Close the main shutoff, often near the street or in the garage, and cut power to wet rooms only if you can do so safely.
- Stay clear of downed lines and damaged trees after wind.
- Photograph the damage before moving anything, and keep receipts for emergency purchases.
- Contact your insurer or agent. Coverage depends on your policy, and outside flood water often requires a separate policy.
- Sign up for SnoCo Alerts for county emergency messages.
Next, ring (866) 937-3230 and we will try to locate an independent contractor. You can also browse other Washington areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Silver Firs that callers often mention include:
- Silver Firs
- The Highlands
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Silver Firs):
- Mill Creek · 2 mi
- Eastmont · 2 mi
- Mill Creek East · 3 mi
- Martha Lake · 4 mi
- Bothell West · 6 mi
- Bothell · 8 mi
Silver Firs restoration FAQs
Is Silver Firs part of Mill Creek?
No. It is an unincorporated census-designated place northeast of Mill Creek, so Snohomish County handles many services. Follow county emergency messages, such as SnoCo Alerts, during storms.
Does Silver Firs flood from rivers?
The area has very little water within it, so river flooding is not the main concern. Yard drainage, snowmelt and storm runoff are more common problems, and the county accepts drainage investigation requests through its Flood Information Center.
What kind of storms hit this part of Snohomish County?
FEMA declarations for the county since 2000 are mostly winter storms involving wind, flooding, landslides and heavy snow, including a 2015 windstorm and the 2009 record snow event. Fallen trees and roof damage are frequent results.
Can I watch river levels near Silver Firs?
Yes. The county's Flood Information Center links to real-time river gauges, including the Snohomish River at Snohomish, and lets you sign up for notices when a gauge crosses a flood phase.
Restoration guides
- Emergency Water Removal
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Soot Removal
- Mold Remediation