Overview
- Public Health — Seattle & King County shared step-by-step instructions that include staying calm, closing the lid, flushing repeatedly, adding dish soap to aid return flow, and calling pest control if needed.
- The advisory follows December downpours and flooding reported to have overrun local sewers and pushed rats through household connections.
- Health officials note that rats are capable swimmers that can hold their breath for minutes, enabling movement through submerged pipes.
- Risk is greater in older homes or buildings with damaged or outdated lateral connections, particularly after heavy rain.
- Local posts and media accounts describe isolated sightings and a mix of alarm, criticism and humor toward the guidance and its illustrations.