Shoreline lies between Lake Washington and Puget Sound on Seattle's northern border, with Boeing Creek, Echo Lake, and Hamlin Park Creek draining through heavily wooded residential areas toward the Sound. The city's wet season from October through April drives near-constant soil moisture that promotes foundation and crawl space water intrusion in homes built on marine clay soils. Pacific storm systems bring wind-driven rain that compromises roof and window flashing, while marine soils retain moisture for weeks after rain events, sustaining elevated groundwater throughout winter.
High-risk neighborhoods
Richmond Beach and Innis Arden neighborhoods on the Puget Sound bluff face the highest storm-driven moisture exposure, while lower-lying areas near Echo Lake experience crawl space and basement flooding from elevated seasonal groundwater.