Washington health officials warned that heavy rain and flooding can sweep rodents into sewer systems and potentially up into household toilets. The Seattle & King County Public Health Department posted infographics on Facebook advising residents to stay calm, close the toilet lid and flush; if necessary, add dish soap and flush again. The alert follows historic flooding this month that damaged infrastructure.
Flooding Could Drive Rats Into Toilets — Washington Health Officials Issue Warning
Washington health officials are warning residents that recent heavy rain and floodwaters can push rodents into local sewer systems and, in some cases, force them up into household toilets.
The Seattle & King County Public Health Department posted the advisory on Facebook and included infographics showing how to respond if a rat appears in a toilet bowl.
What Officials Recommend
- Stay calm: Close the toilet lid and flush.
- If the rat remains: Pour a small amount of dish soap into the bowl and flush again until the animal clears the pipes, as the infographics advise.
- Do not reach into the toilet: Avoid direct contact; do not try to catch the animal with your hands.
- Seek help if needed: Contact Seattle & King County Public Health or a licensed pest-control professional with any concerns or unusual plumbing incidents.
The advisory follows a month of historic flooding across Washington state that damaged roads and other infrastructure and increased the risk of debris and wildlife entering sewer lines.
Officials urged residents to follow public-health guidance, exercise caution around flood-affected areas, and report any sewer or plumbing problems to local authorities.
