Recent heavy rains have significantly elevated the risk of record-breaking flood levels along the Skagit River, leading local officials to issue urgent evacuation orders. As of Wednesday evening, a flood warning is in effect for the Skagit River near Mount Vernon and Concrete, as well as for areas in Whatcom County, including Everson and Sumas, which are situated along the Nooksack River.
At present, the Skagit River is experiencing moderate to minor flood stages, while the Nooksack River is in a minor flood stage. Forecasts indicate that the Skagit River in Concrete is expected to crest at 48 feet around 4 a.m. on Thursday, December 11. Meanwhile, the Mount Vernon section of the Skagit River is projected to crest at 42 feet by 4 a.m. on Friday, December 12. The Nooksack River is also on track to crest at 150 feet on Wednesday evening at 10 p.m., with the Ferndale section expected to reach 22 feet around 4 p.m. on Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, rain is anticipated overnight in Bellingham and Mount Vernon from Wednesday into Thursday evening, potentially adding up to an inch of precipitation. Residents in Mount Vernon and surrounding communities, including Hamilton, Rockport, Marblemount, and Concrete, have been ordered to evacuate to higher ground immediately. The county advises all residents living in the 100-year floodplain to prepare for potential evacuation notices within the next 24 hours.
In Whatcom County, the South Fork Nooksack River at Saxon Bridge was last recorded at 6.49 feet and is expected to reach 10.81 feet, indicating major flooding. The Nooksack River at North Cedarville is forecasted to crest at 150.08 feet, which also corresponds to major flooding conditions. Meanwhile, the Samish River near Burlington is set to crest at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, with its flow projected at 11,327.53 cubic feet per second.
As the flooding situation develops, Skagit Regional Health has temporarily closed its Riverbend and Station Square clinics due to the flood advisory and will remain closed Thursday, although other hospitals and clinics in Skagit Valley are operating normally.
As of Wednesday evening, nearly 400 residents in Bellingham are without power due to an equipment failure. The outage began around 12:34 p.m. with power restoration expected by 6 p.m. Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale has also closed due to flooding, impacting various park facilities and trails.
In response to the flooding, Skagit County officials announced the closure of non-essential services, including district court and superior court services, to ensure the safety of employees and residents. Emergency management, public safety, and road maintenance services will continue to operate. Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed through official channels.
Mount Vernon has issued a Level 3 evacuation order, advising all individuals within the floodplain to leave immediately. The American Red Cross is opening a shelter at the First United Methodist Church located at 1607 E Division St. Meanwhile, the city of Sumas has begun sounding flood sirens to alert residents about impending flooding and is providing emergency shelters for those in need.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, requesting federal assistance to aid in recovery efforts. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation and activated the National Guard to assist with response efforts. Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu also signed an emergency proclamation to facilitate swift action against the flooding impacts.
With the situation evolving rapidly, residents are encouraged to stay vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and prepare their emergency kits. The community is rallying to support one another, with efforts to provide sandbags and assistance to those affected by the rising waters.
This ongoing story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest updates on school closures, road conditions, and additional evacuation information.