Overview
- Tens of thousands have been told to leave low-lying areas, with the governor warning up to 100,000 residents could face evacuation orders as river crests unfold.
- The National Weather Service issued major flood warnings and urged people to move to higher ground, citing rapid rises on the Skagit, Snohomish, Snoqualmie and other rivers.
- Forecasts call for the Skagit River to crest near 47 feet at Concrete early Thursday and about 41 feet at Mount Vernon early Friday, near-record levels that could overtop defenses.
- Hundreds of Washington National Guard members are deploying to assist with rescues and shelters as local teams report water rescues in towns including Orting and Sultan.
- Authorities flagged a rare Flash Flood Watch in parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties due to potential levee or dike failure, while landslides have closed stretches of I-90 and U.S. 2 and thousands lost power.