MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Washington state is facing historic flooding after days of heavy rain. Families are stranded, homes have been swept away, and authorities are warning of even more flooding to come.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency. He urged residents to heed evacuation orders as river levels rise. “We are looking at a historic situation,” he said on X, acknowledging that many have faced floods before but emphasizing the seriousness of this one.
Around 78,000 people were ordered to leave areas near the Skagit River, expected to crest soon. The floods have disrupted transport across the state. Many bridges are underwater, roads are washed out, and some routes are completely blocked. A landslide on Interstate 90 has trapped vehicles.
In the north, the cities of Sumas, Nooksack, and Everson have been evacuated. The Sumas border crossing has closed, and Amtrak has paused trains between Seattle and Vancouver.
Locally, the flooding has hit hard. Sumas Mayor Bruce Bosch described parts of the city as “devastated,” recalling a similar flood just four years ago.
The Snohomish and Skagit Rivers have both broken records, with water levels alarmingly high. In Concrete, one resident, Mariah Brosa, found her raised home just spared from flooding, but debris still caused damage. “I didn’t think it would come this high,” she said.
Flooding isn’t new to Mount Vernon, where severe floods have displaced residents in the past. A flood wall designed to protect downtown was tested in 2021, and as of Thursday morning, the situation was tense but stable.
Authorities have been working tirelessly to rescue people from stranded cars and flooded homes. Helicopter rescues took place in Sumas where water reached around 15 feet. In Snoqualmie, elk were spotted navigating through flooded fields.
Experts note that climate change likely contributes to more extreme weather patterns. While we can’t directly blame this event on climate change, research shows that it’s causing more intense storms and floods.
Another storm system is already on the forecast for Sunday, signaling that the situation may get worse.
For more information about ongoing weather events and emergency responses, you can check out the National Weather Service.
