‘Extremely serious’: Washington declares statewide emergency amid potential flooding
An intense atmospheric river event has been wreaking havoc on the Pacific Northwest, particularly in western Washington, where “historic” flooding has prompted fears of mass evacuations for up to 100,000 residents. The relentless rain that has been pounding the region for the past two days is expected to continue, with another 4 to 8 inches of precipitation forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday in the higher elevations of western Washington state.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and urged residents to heed evacuation orders. The situation is dire, with Ferguson warning that rivers are expected to reach unprecedented levels by early Thursday morning and lasting through Friday.
Skagit County officials have advised residents in upriver communities like Rockport, Hamilton, Marblemount, and Concrete to evacuate to higher ground immediately, as the flooding projections are deemed “historic.” Eastside Fire and Rescue in King County reported assisting with water rescues as flooding and landslides wreaked havoc on Wednesday.
Most rivers in the region are anticipated to reach moderate or major flood stages, with record flooding predicted for certain rivers, including the Skagit River at Mount Vernon and Concrete. The Skagit River could surge 3 to 5 feet above record levels, causing widespread flooding in the area. Senator Maria Cantwell expressed alarm at the situation, urging residents to stay vigilant and comply with evacuation orders.
The Snoqualmie River, between Snoqualmie and Carnation, is expected to rise to major flood stage by Thursday morning, inundating farmlands, roads, and residential areas. US-12 has already been submerged in several areas, cutting off access to the small town of Randle.
Amtrak has suspended train services between Seattle and Vancouver on Thursday and Friday due to the rising waters of the Skagit River. While the heavy rain is expected to taper off by Thursday afternoon, some rivers may remain swollen for days. Additionally, northern Idaho and Montana are bracing for heavy rainfall, with the possibility of localized flash flooding in the next 24 hours.
The relentless onslaught of rain and flooding in the Pacific Northwest serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and underscores the importance of preparedness and swift action in the face of extreme weather events.
