Western Washington Faces Severe Flooding; Evacuations and Recovery Efforts Underway

Rivers in Skagit and Whatcom counties have begun to recede after reaching record levels due to two atmospheric rivers that brought relentless rainfall. The Skagit River at Mount Vernon crested at 37.73 feet early Friday, surpassing previous records by inches, while the Nooksack River at North Cedarville peaked at 150.49 feet on Thursday morning.

In response to the flooding, evacuation orders were issued for residents in low-lying areas. The City of Burlington mandated immediate evacuations Friday morning due to flooding from Gages Slough, with the National Guard assisting in alerting residents. While some evacuation orders have been partially lifted, others remain in effect, particularly for those in the 100-year floodplain.

Multiple roads across both counties remain closed due to water over the roadway or damage from the flooding. The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings through Friday evening along the Nooksack River, cautioning that areas like Everson, Sumas, and Nooksack could still experience flooding into the evening.

As communities begin recovery efforts, the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group is coordinating volunteer activities. Residents are encouraged to assist in cleanup operations, with specific sites established for debris disposal. Flood victims can also seek assistance from case managers to initiate recovery paperwork.

Looking ahead, another atmospheric river is forecasted to impact western Washington starting Sunday, potentially bringing up to 4 inches of rain to the region. Meteorologists warn that this system could lead to additional rises in area rivers and increase the risk of landslides, especially in areas with saturated soils.