Residents in western Washington are facing urgent evacuations as heavy rain raises river levels. This new storm follows another that caused rescues and road closures just a day earlier.
An atmospheric river is swelling rivers toward record high levels. Flooding is expected, especially in the Skagit River area, a key agricultural region north of Seattle. Mount Vernon officials have warned those in the floodplain to leave their homes.
In Mount Vernon, residents lined up at a sandbag-filling station, preparing for what Mayor Peter Donovan called a “worst-case scenario.”
Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, stating, “Lives will be at stake in the coming days.” He warned that around 100,000 people may need to evacuate. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 18 major floods and 15 moderate floods for the state, with the National Weather Service advising about “catastrophic flooding” likely along the Skagit and Snohomish Rivers.
Landslides are also a concern, especially in steep areas. Gent Welsh, with the Washington National Guard, mentioned that many Guard members will assist communities in need.
In nearby Pierce County, rescuers helped people stranded at an RV park in Orting, where waist-deep water posed immediate risks. The Puyallup River’s dangerously high levels forced part of the town to evacuate.
Road conditions are dire. A landslide blocked part of Interstate 90, trapping vehicles under mud and debris. U.S. 2 is also shut down due to fallen trees and rocks.
The Skagit River is predicted to crest at about 47 feet in Concrete and around 41 feet in Mount Vernon, both significantly above historical records. Mount Vernon has a history of flooding; a major flood in 2003 displaced many residents. A floodwall built in 2018 proved effective in 2021 but now faces scrutiny as water levels rise.
Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association, expressed concerns about older levees failing under pressure: “It could potentially be catastrophic.” Business owners are taking precautions, moving inventory to higher ground and reinforcing entrances with sandbags.
Many residents are anxious about their homes and livelihoods. Jake Lambly shared his worries about protecting his property: “This is my only asset. I got nothing else.”
Meteorologist Harrison Rademacher described the intense moisture in the air as a “jet stream of moisture” pushing in from the Pacific. Warnings have been issued door-to-door in certain neighborhoods.
In Sumas, near the U.S.-Canada border, a flood siren alerted residents to evacuate, and commercial vehicle traffic was restricted to facilitate evacuations.
Climate change is believed to exacerbate such extreme weather patterns; while specific storms can’t be linked directly to it, scientists note an overall trend of more intense storms and flooding.
Looking ahead, another storm system is expected to bring additional rain this Sunday. Rademacher cautions that the weather outlook remains unstable as the holidays approach.
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