100,000 preparing to Evacuate from Floods in state of Washington

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ABC News

Washington flooding 'extremely unpredictable,' residents should be prepared to evacuate: Governor

Record flooding is possible at the Skagit River among others.

ByKenton Gewecke, Dan Peck, Alyssa Pone, Emily Shapiro, and Jon Haworth

December 11, 2025, 12:28 PM

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Snow blast, dangerous cold on the moveA winter storm moved across the Northern Plains and Great Lakes with snow blanketing the Twin Cities and more than seven inches of snow falling in eastern North Dakota.

Up to 100,000 people in Washington state could be ordered to evacuate amid the threat of "catastrophic" flooding, officials said.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has declared a state of emergency, stressed Thursday that the flooding "is extremely unpredictable" and "potentially historic."

"If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please, please, please evacuate," the governor pleaded.

A resident watches the rising floodwaters of the Snohomish River near their home, as an atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Snohomish, Washington, December 11, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

The rising floodwaters of the Snohomish River are seen from the offices of the Snohomish United soccer club, as an atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Snohomish, Washington, December 11, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

This dangerous flooding was sparked by an atmospheric river event that dumped more than 1 foot of rain in parts of western Washington state over the last three days.

Multiple rivers are at major flood stage and more are expected to grow into major flood stage later in the day on Thursday.

Law enforcement officers walk through rising floodwater while helping residents evacuate, as an atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Sultan, Wash., Dec. 10, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

Crews attempt to disperse a logjam under a bridge on Ebey Slough, an offshoot of the Snohomish River, as an atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Lake Stevens, Washington, December 11, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

The Snohomish River at Snohomish reached a record high of 33.9 feet on Thursday morning, and it may stay near this level for 24 hours. The floodwaters are expected inundate much of the river valley and could overtop the levees.

Record flooding is possible at other river locations, including the Skagit River near Concrete and near Mount Vernon, the Snoqualmie River at Snoqualmie Falls, the Cedar River at Renton, and the Snohomish River near Snohomish Monroe.

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell said on social media she was "alarmed" to hear the Skagit River could peak as high as 5 feet above its record crest level.

"This is not just another flood," she said.

An atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Fall City, Washington, December 9, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

An atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Fall City, Washington, December 9, 2025.

David Ryder/Reuters

At least 30 highways have closed due to flooding, the governor said, and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Eastside Fire and Rescue, which services parts of King County just east of Seattle, started conducting water rescues on Wednesday. Three adults and a dog were rescued after their home flooded, and two adults and a child were rescued in another incident.

Eastside Fire and Rescue released video of the moment two drivers were rescued rescued by helicopter Wednesday night. After the drivers were caught in the floodwaters, they were forced to flee to higher ground, with one person climbing to the top of their car and the other seeking safety in a tree, officials said.