Public health officials in Washington state are sounding alarms about the potential for “toilet rats” after historic flooding earlier this month displaced numerous rodents. A Facebook advisory from the Seattle and King County public health department highlighted the risks posed by floodwaters that can sweep rodents into combined sewer systems, occasionally leading them to enter homes through toilets.
The recent floods in Washington have caused significant damage, breaking levees and prompting nearly 1,000 evacuations across the state. As floodwaters overwhelmed local infrastructure, public health officials reiterated the importance of sanitation and community awareness, particularly among homeowners in flood-prone areas. While modern plumbing designs have mitigated some risks, many older neighborhoods still rely on combined sewer systems that remain susceptible to overflow during heavy rainfall.
The advisory noted that although it is unusual for rats to enter homes via toilet plumbing, such incidents are not unprecedented, especially after severe storms compromise aging sewer systems. Older neighborhoods, where sanitary and stormwater pipes connect, are particularly vulnerable. Displaced rats, in search of dry ground, may navigate through pipes and surface in residential bathrooms…