Additional Coverage:
Pacific Northwest Braces for Historic Flooding as Atmospheric River Delivers Deluge
Washington and Oregon are currently in the grips of a severe atmospheric river event, triggering widespread flood watches and prompting emergency preparations across the region. With more than 6 million people in Western Washington, Idaho, and western Montana under flood advisories through Friday, residents are bracing for what could be historic flood levels.
Forecasters are predicting over 7 inches of rain, with some elevated areas of the Pacific Northwest expected to receive more than a foot of precipitation this week. This deluge comes on the heels of already record-breaking rainfall, including 3.03 inches recorded at Olympia Regional Airport on Monday, surpassing the previous record of 2.5 inches.
The impact is substantial, with 18 river locations in Washington now projected to experience major flooding. In response, Washington’s State Emergency Operations Center was elevated to its highest response level (Level 1) on Tuesday, as announced by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
Emergency services are already active, with firefighters resorting to inflatable kayaks to rescue individuals stranded in submerged vehicles.
One of the most concerning predictions involves the Skagit River near Concrete, north of Seattle, which is expected to crest at over 47 feet. This would not only exceed the existing record by more than 5 inches but also stand 15 inches above the threshold for a major flooding event, according to NOAA gauges.
Consequently, residents in low-lying areas of Skagit County have been advised by the state Emergency Management Division to “prepare for possible evacuation.” Authorities are collaborating with the American Red Cross to establish a shelter in the eastern part of the county for affected families.
Lewis County’s fire department has also urged residents in flood-prone zones to evacuate proactively, emphasizing the dangers of waiting until rivers reach their peak. “Waiting until the rivers are at their highest puts your lives and safety – as well as those of our emergency responders – at risk,” the department stated on social media.
Other rivers are also reaching critical levels. The Snohomish River in Washington is anticipated to swell to 33.6 feet within the next 48 hours, a significant 12 feet above its normal level and a few inches beyond its previous record. On Monday, the Grays River in Rosburg, Washington, already hit a record-breaking 33.3 feet.
Snohomish County declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, acknowledging the potential for multiple rivers to reach historic flood levels. Lucia Schmit, Snohomish County Emergency Management Director, commented, “We’ve made it through the first part of this weather challenge, but the forecasts tell us we need to prepare for another, bigger surge of rain and high water later this week.”
Numerous roads are already submerged and impassable. Authorities are reiterating the critical warning to drivers in affected areas: do not attempt to drive through floodwaters, particularly at night when depth is difficult to assess.
For context, an atmospheric river is defined as a concentrated, narrow band of atmospheric moisture that transports large amounts of water vapor, leading to heavy precipitation. A significant event of this nature can unleash a volume of water more than 15 times the average flow at the mouth of the Mississippi River.