Video: What's causing all the flooding?

Larger screen

PUYALLUP, Wash. - Experts say humans may be to blame for devastation caused by recent floods.

The former King County Emergency Management Director points to global warming and increased development for feeding growing flood waters.

"Due to climate change, global warming," said Eric Holdeman, who now works for the emergency preparedness consulting firm ICF International. "What does that mean in terms of disasters, is frequent, more severe, longer duration flood events."

The terms "100-year-flood" may be outdated. Experts say to expect more of what we've seen in the past week in the next years.

Holdeman says the bad news doesn't end there.

As waters slowly slip back in their banks, he says a second round of disasters could begin in a February.

"We're probably going to see a lot more mudslides coming, especially if it stays wet during this time period," he said.

Holdeman says people began setting the stage for flooding generations ago - rerouting rivers, filling in marsh land and clear-cutting. It's only gotten worse.

KING

Flooding on Samish Island on Saturday, Jan. 10.

His best advice is to be prepared.

"Someday that disaster that you see on TV, will be impacting you personally," he said.

Holdeman says have enough supplies on hand to survive three days. If you're in a flood plain, buy flood insurance.