Unprecedented Flooding in Washington and Oregon
Two U.S. states, Washington and Oregon, are currently experiencing catastrophic flooding due to a major “atmospheric river” storm. This severe weather has led to widespread travel disruptions, with evacuations reaching 100,000 people, roads being closed, and dangerous rescues taking place. The situation is so unpredictable that even the governor of Washington has issued warnings about the ongoing risks.
Travel and tourism have been significantly impacted by the heavy rainfall and flooding in the Pacific Northwest. A report from Travel and Tour World stated that the rain has hit “major tourism corridors,” causing an “unprecedented travel disruption.” The site warned that flights, trains, and road travel could be delayed through the end of the week and possibly into late December. According to NBC News, between ten to eighteen inches of rain have fallen over the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges in Washington State.
Historic Flooding and Emergency Rescues
According to Fox Weather, on December 12, historic river flooding swamped the state of Washington, resulting in the closure of numerous vital highways, evacuation orders for thousands of residents, and dozens of emergency rescues across the state. The governor of Washington, Bob Ferguson, described the situation as “truly historic” during a press conference. He noted that rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are experiencing historic levels of flooding—something the state has not seen before.
“The situation is truly historic. Rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are literally facing and experiencing historic levels of flooding. So this is something the people of the state of Washington have not faced before, this level of flooding,” he said, according to Fox Weather. The governor also mentioned that “dramatic rescues” have been made, although no deaths were reported.
On X, the governor wrote that the storms were “unpredictable” and that some people in Washington required evacuation. “This situation is very unpredictable. We saw that last night, with a thousand people needing to evacuate Burlington. I encourage all Washingtonians to continue to stay alert and follow instructions from local officials. Keep yourself and our first responders safe,” he wrote.
Road Closures and Evacuation Orders
Some roads in Washington have become impassable due to the flooding. The state’s Department of Transportation shared photos of a cracked and flooded road on X, stating that “US 2 Stevens Pass will remain closed through the weekend between Skykomish and Leavenworth (MP 50-99) due to water and debris over the road in multiple locations. There is no estimated time to reopen. US 97 Blewett and SR 28 through Quincy are alternate route.” The department maintains a real-time map tracking road closures.
Washington Emergency Management reported that while some evacuation notices have been lifted, many areas are still at risk. “Catastrophic flooding along the Skagit and Snohomish Rivers will continue through today,” they said.
Oregon Faces Similar Challenges
In Oregon, the flooding was still a significant issue on December 13. Coastal Oregon was “hit hard by flooding” with some areas “almost completely submerged,” according to KGW8-TV. My Oregon Daily reported that “residents of the Pacific Northwest brace for possible mudslides and levee failures from floodwaters that are expected to be slow to recede.”
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate in Oregon as well. According to The Guardian, although the flooding is starting to recede, the danger is far from over. “Authorities have warned that water levels will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. There is also the threat of more rain forecast for Sunday, December 14,” the site reported, adding that 100,000 people were affected by evacuation orders.
