Severe Flooding in Washington State Leads to Emergency Declarations

Severe flooding in Washington state has prompted Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a statewide emergency due to rising rivers and heavy rainfall. Thousands of residents are facing evacuation orders, particularly in areas near the Skagit River, which is expected to crest at record levels.

As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned of catastrophic flooding and possible landslides in steep terrain, urging communities to prepare for the worst. The Washington National Guard is mobilizing hundreds of members to assist with evacuations and rescue operations.

In Mount Vernon, where flooding has historically impacted the area, residents are on high alert, with many taking precautionary measures such as stacking sandbags and moving valuables to higher ground.

Experts attribute the intensity of the rainfall to climate change, which is linked to more extreme weather events across the United States. Another storm system is anticipated to bring additional rain, contributing to an already unstable weather pattern heading into the holiday season.

According to CBS News, approximately 100,000 people may soon be affected as emergency services continue to monitor the situation closely. Over 17,000 customers had already lost power due to the severe weather, and officials are urging residents to heed evacuation orders as conditions worsen.