In recent days, Washington state has faced unrelenting heavy rain, leading to widespread flooding, numerous rescues, and significant road closures. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, warning that lives could be at risk in the coming days as the situation worsens. Many residents have been ordered to seek higher ground as the state experiences some of its most severe flooding in decades.
In Skagit County, a crucial agricultural region located north of Seattle, authorities have mandated evacuations for those living within the Skagit River's floodplain. Governor Ferguson indicated that catastrophic flooding is likely in numerous areas, prompting the state to request additional water rescue teams and boats. The National Water Prediction Service has forecasted 18 major floods and 15 moderate floods throughout Washington state.
As the situation escalates, hundreds of members from the Washington National Guard will be deployed to assist affected communities. Tens of thousands of residents in western Washington are currently under the threat of evacuation orders as another wave of heavy rain is expected to strike the region on Thursday, potentially bringing rivers to historic levels.
Governor Ferguson emphasized that even after the rain subsides, the challenges for Washingtonians will persist. "The impact on Washingtonians is significant now, and it's going to be significant in the coming days," he stated, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle, described the severe weather as an atmospheric river—a jet stream of moisture stretching across the Pacific Ocean, directly affecting the coastlines of Oregon and Washington. Another storm system is anticipated to bring additional rainfall starting Sunday, contributing to an unsettled weather pattern leading up to the holidays.
Rescue efforts are already underway in several areas. Pierce County sheriff's deputies rescued individuals from an RV park in Orting, where one man was helped through waist-deep water while wearing a Santa hat. The evacuation of parts of the town was necessary due to the dangerously high levels of the Puyallup River and concerns about upstream levees.
In addition, a landslide has blocked a segment of Interstate 90 east of Seattle, trapping vehicles under fallen trees, branches, and mud. A mountainous section of U.S. 2 has also been closed due to similar hazards. As of Wednesday night, more than 17,000 customers in Washington were without electricity, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Volunteers like Brandon Hunt have stepped up to assist those in distress, helping individuals who were uncertain about navigating through floodwaters. "They didn't know if they could drive through water," he said, recounting how he guided people to safety.
According to the National Weather Service, the Cascade Mountains have received between 4 to 6 inches of rain within just 24 hours, while the Olympic Mountains have seen nearly 7 inches. The Skykomish River has already crested at 24 feet, marking its highest level since 2006 and exceeding flood stage by nine feet. The Skagit River is projected to crest around 47 feet in the mountain town of Concrete early Thursday, and approximately 41 feet in Mount Vernon by early Friday.
Darrin Morrison, a commissioner for Dike District 3 in Skagit County, expressed concerns during a public meeting, stating, "We feel very confident that we can handle a 'normal flood,' but no one really knows what a 41, 42-foot river looks like south of Mount Vernon." In anticipation of the flooding, the county plans to close non-essential government services, including all district and superior court services.
Mount Vernon, the largest city in Skagit County with a population of approximately 35,000 residents, has a long history of flooding. Past incidents, such as the flooding in 2003, displaced hundreds. In response, the city completed a floodwall in 2018, which successfully protected the downtown area during the record floods of 2021. However, with the forecasted river levels threatening to exceed this floodwall, there are rising concerns about the potential failure of older levees.
Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association, warned that the situation could be "potentially catastrophic." Residents like Jake Lambly are taking precautions, adding sandbags and moving valuables to higher ground in their homes. "This is my only asset," he lamented from his porch. "I got nothing else."