Key Highlights
- Historic flooding threatens Western Washington, with over 100,000 residents advised to evacuate.
- The National Weather Service predicts peak rainfall on Wednesday night, with some areas expecting record-breaking flood levels.
- Several counties and cities have issued evacuation orders, while others are bracing for potential breaches in flood defenses.
- Washington’s Congressional delegation wrote to President Trump urging federal assistance amid the severe flooding.
Historic Flooding Sweeps Through Western Washington: Live Updates
As atmospheric rivers lash the Pacific Northwest, historic flooding continues to threaten communities in Western Washington. Over 100,000 residents have been advised to evacuate their homes as the region braces for severe weather conditions.
Catastrophic Conditions and Evacuation Orders
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood warning for various rivers in Western Washington, with peak rainfall expected on Wednesday night. Skagit County, an agricultural hub north of Seattle, may not see the worst of the flooding until Thursday or Friday.
According to the NWS, this year’s flooding is expected to surpass records set in 1990, when two human fatalities, over 2,000 evacuations, and more than $100 million in damage were reported. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency in response to the intense flooding.
Several counties and cities have issued evacuation orders.
In Skagit County alone, more than 75,000 people are under evacuation advisories due to the swollen Skagit River. Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan emphasized the urgency: “This is a flood that we haven’t seen before. The potential for catastrophic flooding is real… and so we need to encourage people to heed that warning and move on to higher ground.”
Emergency Shelters and Sandbagging Efforts
The situation in Mount Vernon has escalated, with the Skagit River slowly creeping up the riverfront park steps. The historic downtown core slopes downhill from the river, prompting business owners to place sandbags and plywood over windows.
Thousands of residents have sought refuge at emergency shelters. In Mount Vernon, a Red Cross shelter opened at Bethany Covenant Church after 100 people showed up in their cars and minivans, many dressed in pajamas or work clothes with pets in tow.
Kristi Dunn, a Red Cross volunteer, managed intake, ensuring clients received cots, blankets, food, and emotional support.
The state’s National Guard deployed over 300 members to Skagit County for sandbagging missions, with another 200 en route from Kent by Thursday afternoon. These efforts aim to mitigate floodwater damage and protect public infrastructure.
Call for Federal Assistance
In light of the severe flooding, Washington’s Congressional delegation wrote to President Trump on Thursday urging federal action. The letter highlighted that over 75,000 people in Skagit County alone will be affected by evacuation orders, more than half the county’s population.
Representatives and senators from both parties emphasized the “tremendous need” for assistance from the federal government. Governor Bob Ferguson echoed this call during a press conference on Thursday afternoon, saying he had spoken with FEMA to expedite an emergency declaration. “We tried to be as persuasive as we could to our partners in the federal government that they need to approve that emergency right away,” said Ferguson.
While the Trump administration has previously denied Washington state’s requests for federal assistance following natural disasters, this urgent call comes at a critical time when the state is battling its most severe flooding in decades.
The situation remains fluid and dangerous.
As floodwaters continue to rise, residents are urged to heed evacuation orders and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The full impact of this historic flooding will likely be felt for years to come as communities work to recover from the disaster.
