Entire city evacuated as Washington grapples with historic flooding, with more rain ahead

MT VERNON, Wash. – After days of torrential rain, the atmospheric river is finally abating over parts of Washington state, but historic river flooding remains. Evacuations are still in effect and ongoing. 

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced a federal emergency declaration had been signed to provide federal assistance to Washington counties impacted by flooding. 

President Donald Trump signed the declaration allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide emergency measures for 16 affected counties and the Samish Indian Nation and all other Tribal Nations in the affected areas. 

Ferguson also declared a State of Emergency Wednesday and activated the National Guard. 

Dozens of local and state roads remain closed Friday due to flooding and debris slides. After a brief reprieve, another atmospheric river is forecast to move over the region beginning Sunday night.

WHAT IS AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER?

First responders have performed dozens of aerial and water rescues across the state and local shelters have opened to house those displaced.

AMERICAN RED CROSS ON THE GROUND PROVIDING AID TO WASHINGTON FLOOD VICTIMS 

National Guardsmen went door-to-door Friday morning in Burlington, in Skagit County, evacuating the entire city of nearly 11,000, after the Gages Slough river began flooding into homes, according to county officials.

Snoqualmie River flooding in Duvall, Washington in King County.

(Eastside Fire & Rescue/Facebook / FOX Weather)

Gov. Ferguson urged Washington residents to use caution as rivers rose dramatically Thursday and heavy rain led to major flooding, placing thousands under evacuation orders.

SEE IT: FIRST RESPONDERS RESCUE WASHINGTON MAN FROM ROOF OF SUV, AMID HISTORIC FLOODING

“The flooding levels we are looking at are potentially historic in nature,” Gov. Ferguson said at a press conference Thursday.

A strong atmospheric river continues to slam the Pacific Northwest. Over a foot of rain has been reported across portions of Washington as rounds of rain have pummeled the state, causing flooding that has closed dozens of roads and inundated entire neighborhoods in some areas.

“This situation is extremely unpredictable,” Gov. Ferguson said.

Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, said the scale of major flooding spans across multiple counties across the state, including Skagit, Pierce, Lewis, Whatcom and Yakima counties.

Major flooding across Washington state has inundated several neighborhoods, stalling preparations for the holiday season as dozens of major roadways have been closed.

(Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ferguson said over 30 main roadways across the state have been closed, with no definitive timeline for reopening. Officials continue to urge people to exercise caution.

“It’s really pretty much across both sides of the Cascades and up and down Western Washington,” Ezelle said.

A sign for a Christmas tree farm is pictured as flood waters from the Snohomish River cover Marsh Road off State Route 9 in Snohomish, Washington, on December 11, 2025. Tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders Thursday in western North America, after days of heavy rain forced rivers to burst their banks. Storms have battered Washington state in the US and British Columbia over the Canadian border for several days, with rivers continuing to rise. 

((Photo by Jason Redmond / AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)

According to Ezelle, there are 300 National Guard service members on standby in Skagit County alone, ready to assist in recovery operations.

WATCH: COAST GUARD RESCUES 4 TRAPPED IN WASHINGTON HOME’S ATTIC DURING DEVASTATING FLOODING

Days of heavy rain and subsequent flooding led Gov. Ferguson to issue a state of emergency in the eyes of the potentially catastrophic event.

Rain reports from Sunday through Friday morning from across the state feature totals surpassing 22 inches in some areas.

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Several rivers across the state have crested at historic levels, with dozens of rivers entering the major flood stage, spilling onto roads into neighborhoods.

The Snohomish River is one of over a dozen rivers to reach major flood stage, cresting at a record-breaking 34 feet Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

WASHINGTON DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AS ATMOSPHERIC RIVER DRIVES HISTORIC FLOODING

Late Wednesday night, Skagit County, one of the northernmost in the state, announced that it was experiencing major flooding and urged all people living within the 100-year flood plain to evacuate to higher ground. The county’s Emergency Operations Center has opened several shelters for the displaced.

The Skagit River at Mount Vernon set a record Thursday night, cresting at 37.7 feet.

Officials with the Snohomish County Fire District closed a road in Washington due to heavy flooding from recent rain.

According to Gov. Ferguson, there are not any known deaths from the flooding. Across Washington, emergency rescue crews have stayed busy with reports of numerous high water rescues.

On Wednesday night alone, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to 17 swift water calls, three service calls and one welfare check, rescuing a total of 24 people, four cats and two dogs.

Using inflatable kayaks, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue team members aided several passengers stranded in their cars in floodwaters. 

(Snohomish Fire and Rescue / FOX Weather)

“If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please, please, please evacuate. Your life is extremely important to us,” Gov. Ferguson said, pleading with affected Washingtonians.

Second atmospheric river targets Pacific Northwest next week

 Longer-range outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center keep the Northwest very active, with above-average precipitation likely into mid-to-late December.

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With rounds of devastating heavy rain already overwhelming many communities in Washington, the threat looms through Friday and into next week, as moisture is expected to continue to soak the west region.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

According to the FOX Forecast Center, another round of rain is forecast to arrive late Sunday and into Monday of next week. An additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is possible with localized pockets of heavier rain likely.

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