The last few hours have been filled with anguish and fear in Washington as a consequence of the atmospheric river that continues to batter various parts of the country’s northwest. The intense rains have generated “potentially catastrophic” flooding that has forced authorities to issue evacuation alerts for at least 100,000 people. Skagit County is one of the most affected areas, with dozens of rescues and evacuations reported. Here is updated information about what has been happening in case you plan to travel to this part of the U.S. or if you need to have forecasts to know what to do and what safety measures to adopt with your family or community to stay safe, as experts have warned that the outlook remains high risk for this weekend.
According to CNN reports, more than 300 millimeters of rain have fallen in the Cascade and Olympic mountains since Monday, December 8, and this meteorological phenomenon reached level 4 out of 5, placing it in the extreme category, since it arrived in the Pacific Northwest.
This has resulted in the main rivers and streams in Washington exceeding their usual levels. If you know or are near the Skagit and Snohomish rivers, it is important to know that they could reach or exceed record flood levels. Authorities ask people to remain calm but act without delay if you receive an evacuation order or if you live in the surrounding areas.
Unprecedented Flooding in Washington
Authorities in Washington urged about 100,000 people to evacuate due to the catastrophic flooding expected from the rains. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, warning that “there will be lives at risk in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents to act quickly during Thursday morning: “Move to higher ground now.” Flash flooding, road closures, and direct risk to entire communities were expected. Following the emergency, images captured in photos and videos paint a desolate picture with several streets and areas full of water, covered or destroyed roads, submerged bridges, and entire communities affected.
Currently, about 78,000 residents of a major agricultural region north of Seattle have been ordered to evacuate the Skagit River floodplain, which is expected to reach its highest level Friday morning.
Additionally, there are problems traveling on major routes because many have no alternative routes or estimated reopening time, including much of State Route 410. Added to this, a landslide blocked part of Interstate 90 east of Seattle.
According to Noticias Telemundo reports, dozens of rescues have been recorded of people trapped in their homes or in their cars on the verge of being swept away by the current.
How Long Will It Rain in Washington: Forecast for the Coming Days
The good news is that the atmospheric river is entering its final phase, but alerts are still active. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, the heaviest rain ended Thursday afternoon, although showers could persist until Friday the 12th. These will not worsen flooding, but rivers will remain dangerously high through the end of the week.
Additionally, another storm system is expected to bring more rain to the region starting Sunday, December 14, so it is important to adopt precautionary measures and know what to do in the emergency. Review emergency plans, prepare a bag with documents, medicines, and water, and stay in communication with your neighbors. Your family’s safety begins with prevention.
Safety Recommendations
- Do not drive if you see water covering the road, even if it seems shallow.
- Have a backpack ready with a flashlight, water, and portable chargers in case of power outages.
- Make sure your phone has National Weather Service alerts enabled.
- Notify your family members if you are in a flood-prone area.
- If you live near rivers or low-lying areas, prepare an emergency plan, have a flashlight and water ready, and make sure you can receive alerts on your cell phone.
- Follow official updates at weather.gov or on the networks of your local emergency management office.
This article was translated from Spanish by a Depor editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool
