Washington floods break river records; 78,000 ordered out of Skagit floodplain
An atmospheric river dumped heavy rain across western Washington, pushing rivers — including the Skagit and Snohomish — to historic crests and breaking multiple flood records, prompting Gov. Bob Ferguson to declare a statewide emergency and deploy National Guard and water‑rescue teams. About 78,000 people in the Skagit River floodplain were ordered to evacuate ahead of an expected crest, while tens of thousands more faced orders statewide as helicopters and boats conducted rescues, Amtrak and a Canada border crossing were shut, and landslides and washouts closed major roads.
📌 Key Facts
- Authorities ordered about 78,000 residents to evacuate the Skagit River floodplain; statewide evacuation orders have exceeded 100,000 people.
- Multiple rivers reached or exceeded record levels — four major rivers broke their previous flood records; the Snohomish surged nearly a foot above its prior record and the Skagit rose above its record in Mount Vernon and was forecast to crest at about 47 ft in Concrete and 41 ft in Mount Vernon.
- An atmospheric river produced intense rainfall across the region (reports range from 4–7 inches in 24 hours in parts of the Cascades and Olympics to localized totals of 13–16 inches), and the National Water Prediction Service forecasted 18 major and 15 moderate floods across Washington.
- Transportation and infrastructure were severely affected: landslides and debris blocked I‑90 and U.S. 2, a large segment of SR 410 was washed out, Amtrak suspended Seattle–Vancouver service, the Sumas border crossing closed, and multiple bridges and major roads were inundated; roughly 17,000 customers also lost power.
- Rescue and damage reports include helicopters lifting families from rooftops in Sumas amid about 15 feet of floodwater, King County marine teams boat‑rescuing residents and a dog near the Snoqualmie River, at least two homes collapsing into the Nooksack River or being ripped from foundations, and hundreds of evacuated animals (about 170 horses, 140 chickens and 90 goats) being sheltered.
- State and federal response: Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency, urged residents to follow evacuation orders and called the situation 'historic'; hundreds of Washington National Guard members and additional water‑rescue teams and boats were mobilized.
- Floodwaters are beginning to recede in some places but will remain high for days; officials warn of continuing threats from mudslides, levee failures and high winds (made more dangerous by saturated soils), and additional rain and wind were forecast to return starting Sunday, prolonging risks and recovery needs.
📰 Sources (10)
Arctic air sweeps south as residents of the Pacific Northwest remain on guard after severe flooding
New information:
- NWS Seattle meteorologist Reid Wolcott warned more rain and wind could arrive as early as late Sunday and continue into early week, with added risks of flooding, tree damage and power outages.
- High winds are a particular concern because saturated soils increase the likelihood of toppling trees.
- Snohomish County officials led federal, state and local leaders on a tour of flood damage; Gov. Bob Ferguson said recovery will be expensive, time‑consuming and potentially dangerous statewide.
- King County Sheriff’s marine rescue dive unit rescued a couple and their dog by boat from rapidly rising Snoqualmie River floodwaters near Monroe; the rescue was captured on video.
- Residents remain on guard for mudslides and possible levee failures as floodwaters recede slowly.
Washington state experiences devastating flooding, Midwest braces for arctic blast
New information:
- Gov. Bob Ferguson toured Snohomish County and said 'thousands and thousands of Washingtonians' face a long, costly and potentially dangerous recovery.
- King County Sheriff's marine rescue team boat-rescued two residents and a dog near the Snoqualmie River; rescue video captured the operation.
- Officials said floodwaters are slowly receding but will remain high for days, with risks of mudslides and levee failures.
- About 170 horses, 140 chickens and 90 goats evacuated are being cared for at a Snohomish County park as of Saturday.
Why flooding continues in Washington, despite rivers receding
New information:
- At least 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate statewide, expanding beyond the earlier Skagit-specific total.
- Areas across Washington saw 13–16 inches of rainfall during the event.
- Four major rivers in Washington broke their record flood levels between Thursday and Friday.
- Flooding is persisting in some areas despite rivers beginning to recede.
Family who lost home in flooding just moved there due to mom's cancer
New information:
- About 78,000 residents of the Skagit River floodplain were ordered to evacuate ahead of an expected crest Friday.
- The Snohomish River surged nearly a foot above its record in the city of Snohomish; the Skagit River rose above its record Thursday night in Mount Vernon.
- The Sumas border crossing was closed and Amtrak suspended trains between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.
- Helicopters rescued two families from rooftops in Sumas amid roughly 15 feet of floodwater; the city’s fire station had 3 feet of water.
- Flood erosion caused at least two houses to collapse into the Nooksack River near Welcome; no one was inside.
- Gov. Bob Ferguson urged residents to follow evacuation orders, calling the situation 'historic'; another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday.
- Specific hard-hit and evacuated communities named: Sumas, Nooksack, Everson; record-threat details for Concrete and Mount Vernon.
Historic floods have washed away homes and stranded families in Washington state
New information:
- About 78,000 residents were ordered to evacuate the Skagit River floodplain ahead of a Friday crest.
- The Snohomish River surged nearly one foot above its prior record, and the Skagit rose just above its record at Mount Vernon, per the National Water Prediction Service.
- The Sumas border crossing with Canada was closed; Amtrak suspended service between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.
- A landslide blocked part of I-90 east of Seattle; a large segment of SR 410 was washed out with no alternate route or reopening estimate.
- Helicopters rescued families from rooftops in Sumas amid roughly 15 feet of floodwater; the Sumas fire station had about 3 feet of water.
- At least two homes were ripped from their foundations; multiple bridges and major roads were inundated.
- Gov. Bob Ferguson warned of a 'historic situation' and urged compliance with evacuation orders.
Family who lost home to Washington flooding recently moved due to mom's cancer diagnosis
New information:
- CBS reports at least 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in Washington state due to record rainfall and rising rivers.
- Human-impact detail: a displaced family had recently moved to afford cancer treatment, underscoring the social toll of the disaster.
Photos: Pacific Northwest faces "catastrophic" flood threats from days of heavy rains
New information:
- NWS says that despite a drier weekend ahead, major to catastrophic flooding will likely continue for several days across western Washington and northwestern Oregon.
- Northwest Oregon faces flooding and landslide threats after this week’s atmospheric river delivered 5 to 10+ inches of rain.
- Rivers in Washington have reached record levels, per NWS updates.
- Evacuation orders affect 'tens of thousands' in Washington and across the border in British Columbia.
Torrential rain triggers floods, mudslides and evacuations in Washington state
New information:
- Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency Wednesday night and warned "lives will be at stake"; the state requested water rescue teams and boats.
- Hundreds of Washington National Guard members will deploy to assist, per Adjutant General Gent Welsh.
- Skagit County ordered residents within the Skagit River floodplain to evacuate; the river is forecast to crest at ~47 ft in Concrete and ~41 ft in Mount Vernon.
- Amtrak suspended service between Seattle and Vancouver due to flooding.
- A landslide blocked part of I-90 east of Seattle, trapping vehicles; a mountainous section of U.S. 2 was also closed due to rocks, trees and mud.
- NWS reported up to 6 inches of rain in 24 hours in Cascade counties, with Snoqualmie Pass receiving an additional 1.7 inches in six hours.
- Pierce County officials issued evacuation orders for parts of Orting over Puyallup River levels and levee concerns; deputies conducted water rescues at an RV park.
Severe flooding in Pacific Northwest triggers rescues, road closures
New information:
- National Water Prediction Service forecasted 18 major and 15 moderate floods across Washington.
- Skykomish River crested at 24 feet, its highest level since 2006.
- Approximately 17,000 customers lost power in Washington as of Wednesday night.
- 4–6 inches of rain fell around the Cascades and nearly 7 inches in the Olympics in 24 hours.
- Pierce County deputies conducted water rescues in Orting; part of the town was ordered to evacuate over Puyallup River concerns.
- Landslides blocked parts of I-90 east of Seattle; a mountainous section of U.S. 2 was closed due to debris.
- NWS meteorologist described the atmospheric river as a 'jet stream of moisture' with the 'nozzle' aimed at Oregon and Washington; another storm system is expected starting Sunday.