Union Hill-Novelty Hill is a large unincorporated area in northern King County, wrapping around the Redmond Watershed Preserve and bordered by Redmond to the west, Cottage Lake to the north and Ames Lake to the southeast. Its population roughly doubled between 2000 and 2020, climbing past 22,000 residents.
For callers in Union Hill-Novelty Hill, Fire & Water Energy acts purely as a referral service and sends no crews of its own. Dial (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor who works in this part of King County. Whether a company is free depends on the independent firms active at the time. Our how it works page and referral disclosure explain the arrangement plainly.
Hillside homes, creek bottoms and a long list of winter declarations
The community averages about 551 feet in elevation, and nearly all of its area is land; open water covers well under a tenth of a square mile. The low ground is at the southern edge, where Evans Creek and Patterson Creek follow the valley beside State Route 202. Properties near those creek corridors deal with different water problems than homes up on the hills, where runoff and drainage matter more than rising streams.
King County has appeared in 12 FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000. Several mention landslides and mudslides along with flooding, including DR-1734 (2007), DR-4056 (2012), DR-4309 (2017) and DR-4539 (2020). The 2009 winter brought record and near-record snow (DR-1825), the 2024 declaration (DR-4775) covered winter storms and straight-line winds, and the most recent, DR-4906 in 2026, combined storms, wind and flooding. These are countywide listings, not proof that any particular street flooded.
Where indoor water problems usually start here
Across more than 8,400 housing units, the usual culprits are appliance and plumbing failures: a split washing machine hose, a leaking water heater, a dishwasher line or a cracked fitting behind a vanity. Heavy snow and ice, like the 2009 event, can also lead to frozen lines in unheated spaces and meltwater backing up under roofing.
Water damage restoration in Union Hill-Novelty Hill typically starts with shutting off the source, then extracting water, measuring moisture inside walls and subfloors, and running dehumidifiers until materials test dry. Water damage repair, such as new drywall, trim or flooring, follows. Our guides to water damage restoration, burst pipe water damage and structural drying cover each stage for Eastside homeowners.
Federal disaster declarations that included King County
FEMA records show King County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (8 severe storm, 4 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Union Hill-Novelty Hill was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4906)
- 2024 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4775)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4539)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (DR-4309)
- 2012 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4056)
- 2011 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-1963)
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 Union Hill-Novelty Hill?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Union Hill-Novelty Hill property.
After a house fire: soot, odor and hidden water
Even a contained kitchen or garage fire spreads fine soot through ductwork and leaves an odor that clings to carpet, insulation and clothing. Water from firefighting often soaks the rooms below, so a fire job frequently becomes a drying job as well.
A reputable contractor will usually document the damage, board up openings, haul out debris, clean soot with methods matched to each surface and use air scrubbers or sealing to deal with odor. Both fire damage restoration and smoke odor removal have their own explainer pages.
Creekside flooding, slides and wind-thrown trees
Because so many King County declarations pair flooding with landslides and mudslides, it pays to watch both the creeks and the slopes during long wet spells. Straight-line winds, named in the 2024 and 2026 declarations, can drop trees and branches onto roofs, opening a path for rain into attics.
Water that comes in from outside is generally treated as contaminated. Contractors commonly remove soaked drywall and insulation below the waterline, clean and disinfect framing, and dry the structure before rebuilding. The flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup pages go deeper on creek and windstorm jobs.
Keeping mold out of damp crawlspaces and finished rooms
Mold needs moisture and time. After a leak, drywall paper, carpet pad and crawlspace insulation can stay wet long enough to grow it, especially during gray months when windows stay shut. Fixing the water source comes first; cleaning without that step rarely holds.
The EPA says a homeowner can often handle an area under about 10 square feet, while larger growth, contamination in HVAC systems or growth after sewage water calls for trained help. Professional remediation commonly uses containment, HEPA filtration and removal of porous materials. See mold remediation.
First moves for Union Hill-Novelty Hill households
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, smelled gas or any immediate danger, and leave the house if it feels unsafe.
- Stay clear of any pooled water that touches outlets, cords or appliances until the breaker is off.
- If you can do it safely, shut the main water valve and stop the leak.
- Photograph every room, item and water line before moving or tossing anything.
- Call your insurer or agent early. Coverage depends on your policy, and flood is often a separate policy.
- Follow King County emergency guidance during storms and slides.
Hiring an independent contractor in King County
Request a written scope, ask how moisture will be measured and recorded, and ask whether the contractor holds IICRC certification. Check whether your state or city requires a license for the work, and get proof of insurance before anyone begins demolition.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Union Hill-Novelty Hill):
Union Hill-Novelty Hill restoration FAQs
Is Union Hill-Novelty Hill part of Redmond?
No. It is an unincorporated census-designated place in King County that borders Redmond on the west and surrounds the Redmond Watershed Preserve. Check with King County about any permits your repairs may need.
Which parts of the area sit lowest?
The southern edge, where Evans Creek and Patterson Creek run through the valley along State Route 202. Homes near those creeks should pay closer attention to rising water during prolonged storms than homes on higher ground.
Why do local disaster declarations mention landslides?
Many King County declarations since 2000, including 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2020, list landslides and mudslides alongside flooding. Sloped lots can shed water and soil toward foundations, so drainage around the house matters.
Can I find a contractor if the damage happens during a snowstorm?
Possibly, but nothing is guaranteed. During regional events like the 2009 record snow, many properties need help at once. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to locate an independent firm that is taking work nearby.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Mold Remediation
- Fire Damage Restoration