Severe Weather Protocols are not currently active.
This page is updated during Tier 2 and Tier 3 Severe Weather activations. This page was last updated at 4:45 pm on August 3, 2026 for the August 4-7 Tier 2 smoke & heat activation.
Public Health – Seattle & King County has information and tips available on how to stay safe during a heatwave and during wildfire smoke.
Click here to read through our updated 2026 KCRHA Severe Weather Emergency Response Policy.
Click here to learn about our thresholds to activate for heat and wildfire smoke. You can also learn more about the impacts of extreme heat from Seattle-King County Public Health here.
Use the links below to find forecast information and year-round resources. Stay up to date on King County’s emergency status here.
For additional cold weather information, read our Cold Weather Activation Thresholds here, learn about winter weather preparation from King County here, and learn more about how to prevent, spot, and treat hypothermia from Public Health – Seattle & King County here
Severe Weather Shelter Navigation Hotline: (206) 245-1026 – Available 7:00 am – 10:30 pm daily during severe weather activations
Anyone can use this hotline during severe weather activations for information on shelters and navigating to shelter locations. Families with children can call to be connected with a shelter and a ride to that location, as available.
All King County Library System (KCLS) libraries are free and open to all members of the public during their open hours and can be used as day shelter. Detailed information about each library location can be found on the KCLS website.
Click here for Seattle Public Libraries locations and hours.
General Use:
QR Code for KCRHA’s Severe Weather Response page – can be added to flyers to direct to the most up-to-date info
KCRHA Heat & Wildfire Smoke Activation Thresholds – PDF file
KCRHA 2026 Severe Weather Shelter General Guidelines – PDF file
How to Help During a Heatwave – Social Media Carousel (compressed file, 4 png graphics)
Public Health – Seattle King County Heatwave Information – Social Media Carousel (compressed file, 8 png graphics)
A Note on the Flyers and Graphics: Sheltering information often changes rapidly during activations. We update web, flyers, and graphics sometimes several times a day, as shelter availability shifts. Please check back frequently for updates, and be prepared to print new flyers. We recommend checking around 5:00 pm, after we’ve made final edits for the day. We always encourage to people to check the website for the most robust and current information, but it’s also critical that our partners work to distribute the most up-to-date flyers as possible.
Tip: Did you know that a normal page refresh (Shift + R) doesn’t necessarily pull new page info? Use Shift + Control (Command on Macs) + R to tell your browser to pull the newest version of the webpage!
During the colder months, many local organizations are providing spaces and supplies to keep unhoused neighbors warm, dry, and safe from extreme weather, there are a few things you can do to help, too:
During a Severe Weather Response protocols activation, you can look at the information listed in the sections above and find organizations in your region that offer daytime or overnight shelter when protocols are not activated, you can view our Regional Services Database to find an organization near you.
- Check in with local organizations that are operating daytime drop-in centers and overnight shelter and ask if they need any donated supplies to keep their site running smoothly.
- Volunteer with an organization that provides warming or resources for unsheltered individuals in your neighborhood or city.
- Donate financially to an organization that serves your community.
- Help get the word out about resources by sharing this page, or the graphics in the “Shareable Graphics & Flyers” section above on social media.
During cold weather, you can also carry survival items like warm, dry socks, ponchos, or hand warmers to distribute to people who request help.
If you are with a local organization and would like to learn more about setting up a severe weather shelter, you can read our 2026 Severe Weather Shelter Guidelines.
More Places to Stay Cool
Local malls (The Outlet Collection in Auburn, Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Crossroads Mall in Bellevue, and Alderwood Mall in Lynwood), libraries, and movie theaters are all good places to stay cool.
King County Library System and Seattle Public Libraries: Check their website for location and hours.