Washington state is facing one of the most destructive flooding events in its modern history as an enormous atmospheric river stretching an estimated 7,000 miles across the Pacific unleashes extreme rainfall, dangerous river surges, and widespread evacuations across the region. Governor Bob Ferguson, who succeeded Jay Inslee earlier this year, declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday, warning that “lives will be at stake in the coming days” as river levels approach historic highs.
The emergency declaration enables the rapid mobilization of state resources, and Governor Ferguson has formally requested an expedited federal emergency declaration to secure additional support.
Emergency Activation and Statewide Response
The state’s response has escalated rapidly as conditions continue to deteriorate across counties.
National Guard Deployment:
More than 100 National Guard members have been activated to assist with evacuations, sandbagging, traffic control, and search-and-rescue operations in severely impacted areas.
Operations Center at Phase III:
The State Emergency Operations Center was elevated to Phase III activation the second-highest level on December 9, signaling the presence of a major statewide disaster and the risk of significant infrastructure failures.
Officials warn that the next 48 hours will be critical as river systems across western Washington continue to swell beyond safe thresholds.
Record-Breaking Flooding and At-Risk Communities
Hydrologists are tracking major flooding on at least eight rivers and creeks across western and central Washington. Several major rivers are expected to hit or surpass historic record crests, including:
- Skagit River
- Snohomish River
- Snoqualmie River
- Skykomish River
- Cowlitz River
Dam Failure Threats:
Early reports indicate that three dams are currently at risk of structural compromise due to overtopping and saturated earthen embankments. State engineers are monitoring these sites around the clock.
Mass Evacuations Underway:
Tens of thousands of residents have already been ordered to evacuate, with some communities seeing full-scale displacement:
- Skagit County: Up to 75,000 residents in the river floodplain could face evacuation as the Skagit River approaches dangerous levels.
- City of Sumas (U.S.–Canada border): Flood sirens were activated overnight, urging residents to leave immediately.
Local officials emphasize that the speed and volume of incoming water could overwhelm protective levees, leaving little warning time for those in low-lying areas.
Transportation Chaos and Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The storm has severely disrupted mobility across the region:
Road & Highway Closures:
- I-90 Eastbound shut down due to multiple landslides.
- U.S. 2 (Stevens Pass) closed after mud, rocks, and toppled trees blocked the roadway.
Transportation authorities warn that additional closures are likely as slope failures increase with continued rainfall.
Rail Service Suspended:
A significant mudslide south of Tacoma forced the suspension of all passenger rail service through at least Sunday morning.
Power Outages:
More than 17,000 customers were without electricity Thursday morning as wind and saturated soil brought down power lines and transformers.
Environmental Risks:
Officials have issued alerts about sewage overflows contaminating rivers, inlets, and urban waterways
a growing threat when extreme rainfall overwhelms municipal system capacity.
Weather Outlook: More Storms on the Way
Washington has absorbed 2 to 12 inches of rainfall over the last three days, with another 1 to 3 inches forecast today. Meteorologists warn that the flooding crisis is far from over.
A second major storm system is expected to arrive Sunday, potentially keeping river levels critically high through the holiday period and complicating recovery efforts.
Emergency managers urge residents to monitor official alerts, obey evacuation orders, and avoid driving through floodwaters as conditions remain volatile.
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