Overview
- Washington’s Emergency Operations Center is at level 1, counties have declared emergencies, and responders have carried out water rescues with shelters prepared in high-risk areas.
- An immediate “Go Now” evacuation was issued in parts of Orting between the Puyallup and Carbon rivers, while Skagit County residents were told to prepare to leave and the Red Cross readied shelter space.
- The Snoqualmie River at Snoqualmie Falls crested at about 17.88 feet, its highest level in roughly a decade, with widespread flooding reported around Fall City and nearby communities.
- NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service forecasts major, potentially record crests on the Skagit (up to about 47.3 feet near Concrete and 41.5 feet near Mount Vernon) and the Snohomish (around 33.6–33.7 feet), warning levees could overtop or suffer major damage; 18 river points are projected to reach major flood stage.
- Heavy rain and gusty winds continue through Thursday, keeping flood alerts in effect across Washington and Oregon, while Environment Canada issues rain warnings and a flood watch for B.C.’s Fraser Valley with increased landslide and travel hazards.