Western Washington braces for “catastrophic” floods, evacuation orders issued

Residents along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers in western Washington face the threat of “catastrophic” and potentially life-threatening flooding on December 11, following days of heavy rainfall, National Weather Service officials warned, according to US media.

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Orting in Pierce County, Ebey Island in Snohomish County, and areas of Skagit County within the 100-year floodplain. Governor Bob Ferguson’s office stated that as many as 100,000 Washington residents could be affected by rapidly rising floodwaters.

Ferguson declared a state of emergency and said he would request federal funding to support recovery efforts. He thanked first responders and urged the public to follow evacuation orders. “If you receive an evacuation order, please, please follow that order. It is critical for your safety,” he said.

The National Weather Service predicts catastrophic flooding from Mount Vernon through Everett and into areas east of Redmond. Such flooding could pose severe risks to life and property, including the overtopping of levees and landslides in steep terrain. Record flood levels may destroy roads and structures, necessitating evacuations and rescues, according to meteorologist Steve Reedy. “I’ve been working here at the Seattle office for 12 years and I have never seen anything like this,” he said.

Currently, at least four rivers in the state have reached major flood stage, defined by the National Weather Service as conditions where “extensive flooding of structures, main roadways, and other critical infrastructure may occur.” Eleven additional rivers are forecasted to reach similar levels in the coming days. The Naselle River in southwestern Washington has risen dramatically from a depth of 5 feet to nearly 20 feet due to the heavy rainfall.

Officials continue to monitor river levels closely and urge residents to remain vigilant as flooding conditions evolve across the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova