Water Safety

Not-so-fresh water: How to avoid getting poop-sick from Seattle lakes

With the sun blazing and temperatures expected to climb into the low 80s Friday, Seattleites will be eying area lakes and swimming beaches for relief from the heat. But before you take the plunge, it’s important to consider several factors that could prevent you or your furry friends (and pets) from getting sick or worse from bacteria and toxic algae that could be lurking in your favorite swimming hole.

Crowds of costumed crazies take a slightly less freezing plunge in Seattle to mark 2024

Brave Seattleites jumped into Lake Washington New Year's Day for the annual Polar Bear Plunge! Organizers estimated about 2,000 people crowded along the shore of Matthews Beach in North Seattle as they got ready to run into the water.

Farms in Western Washington evacuate during record river flooding

Many rivers in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties flooded Tuesday due to heavy rain and melting snow from the mountains. Forecasters say the atmospheric river drenching the Pacific Northwest should start to ease on Wednesday.

National

Many teens don't know how to swim. A grassroots organization is trying to change that

First Strokes, a nonprofit based in New York City, is helping students learn water safety skills and how to swim. They offer free swimming lessons for teens — taught by other teens.