Washington state has been hit by heavy rainfall in recent days, causing multiple rivers to breach their banks and resulting in severe floods in several western areas. Some residents have been stranded on their rooftops and had to be rescued by helicopters. Over 100,000 residents have been issued Level 3 Evacuation orders, requiring immediate evacuation, as rescue operations continue. The entire state is now in a state of emergency.
According to media reports, the state of Washington has been affected by an “atmospheric river,” a narrow area in the atmosphere with high concentrations of water vapor. This has caused multiple rivers in the state to reach or approach historic water levels. The Skagit River and Snohomish River have both entered severe flood stages, with the situation expected to persist at least through Saturday.
State officials have noted that the flood situation is most severe along the Skagit River, Snohomish River, and Puyallup River. Over 30 major highways and dozens of smaller roads in the area have been closed due to flooding, with some railroad sections being washed away or submerged.
On Friday morning, Skagit County declared an emergency evacuation order for all residents of Burlington. Emergency evacuations have also been initiated in multiple trailer parks in Pierce County.
As the floods spread, the Washington State National Guard has been formally deployed for disaster relief efforts. As of Friday morning, over 300 National Guard members have been mobilized to assist local emergency departments.
As of the time of this report, the Washington State Emergency Management Department has emphasized that while some evacuation orders have been lifted, many areas remain dangerous. Residents are urged to continue monitoring official notices for updates.
The department’s director, Robert Ezelle, has stated that more rainfall is expected on Sunday, leading to a further rise in river levels. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.