Due to heavy rains in Washington state, it is possible that sewer rats will start swimming through the pipes and end up exiting the toilets.
It seems like something out of a nightmare, but it could really happen to the inhabitants of the US state of Washington.
The historic rains that hit the state this month caused widespread flooding, overload on infrastructure and an unusual public health alert: rats can start to come out of the toilets of houses due to overflow of the sewage system.
According to , public health officials in Seattle and King County warned residents that extreme rainfall and flooding could dislodge rodents from sewer pipesforcing them to seek dry air. In rare cases, this escape route leads directly to residential plumbing.
Health authorities stressed that, although the phenomenon is alarming, it is still unusual. Seattle, a city with around 2.5 million toilets, annually receives approximately 50 complaints about rats in the toilets. However, following storms that led to the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents and caused extensive damage to streets, homes and public services, authorities warned that this number could increase.
Rats are excellent swimmers and can navigate flooded sewer systems. When pipes fill with rainwater, rodents instinctively climb up in search of air and safety. Toilets, which connect directly to the sewage network, can occasionally become an accidental exit point.
Public health authorities say the warning is not intended to cause panic, but rather to raise awareness of an unusual side effect of extreme weather. Residents are advised to keep toilet lids closedensuring that traps are working properly and contacting pest control professionals if an incident occurs.
The warning highlights broader concerns about aging infrastructure struggling to withstand extreme weather. As storms become more intense and rainfall less predictable, sewer systems across the country are facing increasing pressure.
Experts note that disasters often announce themselves through dramatic events such as floods, hurricanes or wildfires. Other events reveal themselves silently, through unexpected and disruptive interruptions to everyday life.
