Catastrophic flooding was underway in the Pacific Northwest early the morning of Dec. 11 after an atmospheric river pounded parts of Washington and Oregon with heavy rain, covering roadways and prompting evacuations.
Forecasters warned potentially record-breaking flooding was possible along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers through Dec. 11, with overtopping of levees likely, with more flooding across the Cascade Foothills and into Puget Sound through Dec. 12.
Parts of Interstate 90 and several other roads in Washington were blocked by landslides and floodwaters with no estimated reopening time, the Washington State Department of Transportation said. Video and photos shared by the department on social media showed roads covered by flowing waters. In Pierce County, to the southeast of Seattle, the sheriff’s office said its swift-water team was conducting water rescues using boats at an RV park on Dec. 10…