Tens of thousands of people in Washington State are being forced to evacuate their homes due to catastrophic and life-threatening floods. AP Image
(The Post News)- Tens of thousands of people in Washington State, northwest America, are being forced to evacuate their homes due to catastrophic and life-threatening floods. The state’s governor, Bob Ferguson, has declared a state-wide emergency, warning that “lives will be at stake in the coming days”.
The relentless heavy rain has triggered rescues and road closures, with rivers reaching near historic levels. The National Weather Service in Seattle reports that a large swath of the Cascade mountains has received 4-6 inches of rain, while the Olympics have received nearly 7 inches.
People Advise To Evacuate
Approximately 100,000 people in Washington State have been advised to evacuate, with hundreds of National Guard troops being sent to help stricken communities. A major road, Interstate 90 east of Seattle, has been blocked by a landslide, leaving vehicles trapped.
The city of Mount Vernon, Washington, and upriver communities have been instructed to evacuate to higher ground as flooding is anticipated in the region. Hamilton, Rockport, Marblemount, and Concrete are also being asked to evacuate to high ground as soon as possible.
Rainfall Reached 3.03 Inches
More than a foot of rain is anticipated across higher parts of the Pacific Northwest, with rainfall reaching 3.03 inches at the Olympia Regional Airport on Monday, breaking the previous record of 2.5 inches. Over 17,000 customers in Washington State had lost electricity by Wednesday night.
The Snoqualmie River is flooding over its banks at Riverview Park in Snoqualmie, and a property with a mobile home is flooded by the Snoqualmie River. Pierce County sheriff’s deputies have rescued people from a mobile home park in Orting, including one man who waded through waist-deep water in a Santa hat.
The Skagit River is expected to crest at roughly 47 feet in the mountain town of Concrete early Thursday, and roughly 41 feet in Mount Vernon early Friday, with record-setting forecasts by several feet. The concern about the pressure on the levy and dike system is real, and it could potentially be catastrophic.
State Work With Local Authorities
Governor Ferguson has requested a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the widespread flooding. The state is working closely with local governments, tribal governments, and federal partners to monitor the situation and provide assistance.
The National Guard has been activated, with 100 members currently deployed and up to 300 expected to be mobilized. The emergency declaration allows Washington to tap into federal funds for short-term life-safety operations, sheltering, and protective measures.
Residents are being advised to stay informed and follow evacuation orders. The situation is fluid, and forecasts indicate more heavy rainfall and potential landslides into the weekend.
The flooding has already caused significant damage, with roads closed, and homes and businesses inundated. The state’s emergency management division is urging residents to prioritize their safety and evacuate immediately if ordered to do so.
The atmospheric river event is expected to continue, with localized flash flooding possible in northern Idaho and Montana. The heavy rain will impact northern Idaho and Montana over the next 24 hours.
The governor has expressed gratitude to first responders working through dangerous conditions and has visited impacted communities to assess the situation.
The state’s emergency management division is working with local authorities to provide support and resources to affected communities.
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