Quick Read
- Skagit River is expected to crest far above historic flood levels, threatening multiple communities.
- Emergency operations and shelters have been activated in Skagit and Snohomish counties for evacuations.
- Water rescues have been conducted across Western Washington as roads and homes are submerged.
- Multiple rainfall and river crest records have been broken, with more severe flooding forecasted.
- Officials urge residents in flood-prone areas to stay informed and prepared for possible evacuation.
Atmospheric River Unleashes Historic Flooding Across Western Washington
Western Washington is under siege from relentless rainfall and rapidly rising rivers, as a powerful atmospheric river delivers a second, even more intense wave of flooding this week. Emergency officials and residents from Skagit to Snohomish counties are bracing for what could be record-shattering water levels, with communities rallying to protect homes, livestock, and infrastructure in the face of mounting threats.
Skagit River and North Sound Brace for Unprecedented Water Levels
At the heart of the crisis is the Skagit River, now expected to crest some 15 feet above the threshold for major flooding near Concrete and 9 feet over in Mount Vernon—both figures that would eclipse previous records. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several rivers, including the Carbon, Cedar, Elwha, Snohomish, and Stillaguamish, many of which are forecasted to reach or surpass historic heights. Local emergency management offices have activated their operations centers and are urging residents in low-lying areas to stay informed, prepare to evacuate, and take steps to safeguard property and livestock.
Rescues and Evacuations Highlight Immediate Dangers
Already, first responders have been called into action. In Snohomish County, multiple people were stranded by rising waters overnight, with fire crews deploying boats, hovercrafts, and even drones to locate and rescue campers trapped near the Skykomish River. Vehicles were swept off flooded roads, and a family of six—including four children—had to be rescued from their inundated home in Lewis County. The Three Rivers Mobile Home Park along the Snohomish River received evacuation orders, and the American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at Monroe’s Evergreen State Fairgrounds for displaced residents.
Water rescues have stretched local resources thin. “I think people might be surprised to learn it only takes a foot of water to float a regular car and two feet to float a large truck or SUV,” said Lucia Schmit, Director of the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management. She emphasized that wind and saturated soil could also trigger landslides and topple trees, compounding the dangers.
Road Closures and Infrastructure Under Strain
Across Western Washington, highways and rural roads have been closed due to flooding, landslides, and downed trees. Eastbound Interstate 90 was shut at North Bend for hours after a midnight landslide. In Auburn, city crews raced to install 650 feet of temporary flood-control barriers along the White River Trail, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased outflows from Mud Mountain Dam to protect upstream communities. The surging White River is expected to breach its banks, causing minor flooding in Auburn and threatening homes and businesses near the A Street Bridge.
Concerns are mounting around a dam near Lake Sylvia State Park in Grays Harbor County, which has begun showing signs of stress under the unrelenting rainfall. Officials warn that further deterioration could occur if the weather persists, though no failure has been reported yet.
Community Response: Preparation, Shelters, and Information
As rivers rise, communities are taking action. Families in Skagit County are moving farm equipment and making contingency plans to protect their land and livestock, recalling the devastation of the 2021 floods. Local emergency operations centers are coordinating with agencies like the Red Cross to open shelters and distribute resources such as sandbags. Residents are encouraged to sign up for real-time river gauge alerts and monitor county websites for the latest updates on flood phases, road closures, and emergency services.
“Everybody watches out for everybody here,” said Desiree Wolfe, a resident of the evacuated Three Rivers Mobile Home Park. The spirit of neighborly support is palpable, with residents helping one another move belongings to higher ground or assisting those unable to relocate their trailers.
Breaking Records: Rainfall and River Crests
This week’s downpour has broken multiple rainfall records set a decade ago. Olympia Regional Airport saw 3.03 inches of rain on Monday, shattering its previous record from 2015. Quillayute and Hoquiam airports also set new single-day rainfall records, underscoring the extraordinary nature of this event. At Snoqualmie Falls, the river reached its highest crest since 2015, and water levels are predicted to spike even higher as the week continues.
“Our weather cycles are catastrophic about every 20 years and we are overdue,” noted Angela Donaldson, a flood plain manager and former president of the Fall City Community Association. The frequency and intensity of these weather events have left many residents and officials reevaluating their flood preparedness and resilience strategies.
Looking Ahead: Uncertainty and Vigilance
With the Skagit, Snohomish, and other rivers expected to peak between Wednesday and Friday, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Towns like Concrete, Mount Vernon, and others in the North Sound are keeping close watch on local dams and flood defenses, hoping to avoid the worst-case scenarios seen in previous years.
“This is a lot of water that can come down, but the current forecast is correct,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Cullen. “People should, if they’re in those areas, follow any direction from their local officials.”
As the community braces for the next crest, the lessons of recent days—swift response, coordinated action, and the value of staying informed—are front and center. For those living in flood-prone areas, preparation and caution remain the watchwords as Western Washington faces some of its most severe flooding in recent memory.
Assessment: The scale and speed of these floods highlight both the vulnerabilities and strengths of Western Washington’s communities. The combination of historic rainfall, surging rivers, and urgent rescue efforts has tested local resources and infrastructure, but the rapid, coordinated response by officials and neighbors alike has helped mitigate harm. Moving forward, the region’s experience underscores the need for robust flood preparedness, real-time information sharing, and resilient community networks to confront an era of increasingly unpredictable weather.