Emergency officials have issued urgent evacuation orders across western Washington as dangerous weather conditions threaten thousands of residents. Heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river system has pushed multiple rivers toward potentially historic flood levels. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency, warning that lives will be at stake in the coming days. The rapidly evolving situation has prompted authorities to activate emergency response protocols and prepare for widespread evacuations.
Mount Vernon residents have been ordered to evacuate
Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations have been ordered for Mount Vernon residents who reside within the 100-year flood zone. A flood stage warning continues for the city, with possible flood levels forecasted to potentially flood the area beginning on Thursday, December 11th. Downtown Mount Vernon rests on the Skagit River and thus faces problems due to rising river levels and possible levee breaks.
Community members have been stocking up on sandbags from stations across the counties as they prepare for the flood. Local business owners have closed operations as they put safety measures in place. The Division Street Bridge will be closed at noon on Thursday once the Skagit River level hits 36 feet. Emergency shelters set up for displaced residents. Those who are in cars and RVs are relocated to Bakerview Park; however, as per authorities, there is no power, electricity, or access to clean drinking water at that shelter site.
Large-scale evacuee preparations affect thousands in the region
Skagit County is about to start evacuations for all 75,000 residents living in low-lying regions due to rising Skagit River levels that will soon breach flood-control walls and cause catastrophic flooding. Governor Ferguson predicted that as many as 100,000 people from Washington might need evacuations. The Skagit River is predicted to crest at 47 feet at Concrete early Thursday and 41 feet at Mount Vernon on Friday.
A mobilization plan, All-Risk Mobilization, authorized by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste, calls for the mobilization of four swift water rescue teams, swift water technicians, boats and operators, and rescue swimmers. The mobilization will bring resources from outside jurisdictions into Snohomish and Skagit counties. Rescues have already been made by emergency services, involving residents who were trapped because of rising water, as well as RV park evacuees.
“We expect possibly 100,000 people in Washington state who will be ordered to evacuate. It’s a very fluid and dynamic situation that keeps changing,” said Governor Bob Ferguson.
Infrastructure failures compound emergency response challenges
Some highways have also become hazardous as a result of landslides and floodwater, with Interstate 90 and US Route 2 being some of the highways that have serious obstructions caused by mud, trees, and debris. Additionally, more than 17,000 people were without electricity as of Wednesday night. As per the National Weather Service, as much as 6 inches of rain fell within 24 hours in the Cascades, and almost 7 inches in the Olympic Mountains.
Ferguson has called for an emergency federal declaration from FEMA. A storm system that might bring additional rain on Sunday might continue these hazardous conditions through the holiday weekend. A federal disaster declaration would allow Ferguson access to additional resources. Ferguson will need these additional resources as it struggles with these challenging times. It is recommended that evacuees bring essential items with them, including identification, medication, warm clothing, cellular phones, glasses, family pets, and money.
Western Washington is experiencing a historic flood crisis that could soon force the displacement of tens of thousands of residents. A perfect storm created from a record rainfall event, aging infrastructure, and geography could soon unleash a catastrophic flood event on the region. Local emergency authorities are closely watching the river and weather conditions as they mobilize evacuees.
