Thousands ready to evacuate as flooding hits Pacific Northwest

December 11, 2025

The Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada is experiencing severe flooding caused by an atmospheric river bringing torrential rainfall to already saturated river systems. Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a statewide emergency declaration, with officials estimating that approximately 100,000 residents may need to evacuate as the Skagit and Snohomish rivers reach near-record or record flood levels. Emergency crews have conducted multiple helicopter rescues of people trapped in their homes, while major highways connecting to Vancouver have been shut down due to flooding, debris, and avalanche risks.

Who is affected

Approximately 100,000 residents in Washington state facing potential evacuation orders
75,000 people in low-lying areas along the Skagit River
Residents in Skagit County (a major agricultural area north of Seattle)
Multiple people trapped and rescued in Sultan, Washington
Three people rescued from an RV park in Orting, Washington
Communities of Tulameen and Eastgate in British Columbia, Canada
371 properties (urgent evacuation) in Abbotsford, Canada
Residents in Cape Horn, Hamilton, and Thunderbird regions
Travelers and commercial traffic at the US-Canada Sumas Border Crossing

What action is being taken

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency
Evacuation orders have been issued in multiple areas across Washington and British Columbia
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office is conducting helicopter rescues of trapped residents
Pierce County swiftwater teams are performing rescue operations
Authorities are closing multiple state and local roads in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties
Major highways to Vancouver's Lower Mainland are being closed
The US-Canada Sumas Border Crossing is closed to commercial traffic
Officials are monitoring and reporting on river levels and flood conditions

Why it matters

This flooding event represents potentially record-breaking conditions in the Pacific Northwest, threatening the safety of over 100,000 people and causing widespread disruption to critical infrastructure. The severity is particularly concerning because it affects major agricultural areas like Skagit County, which could impact food production and supply chains. The flooding also isolates communities by closing major transportation routes, including highways to Vancouver and the international border crossing, which will have significant economic consequences. Local officials are describing this as the worst flooding they have witnessed in the region, and with another storm expected Sunday, the crisis may intensify before conditions improve.

What's next

The heaviest rainfall is expected to subside by Thursday afternoon
Water will continue flowing into rivers even after rain decreases
Another storm is expected to arrive on Sunday
More road closures are likely on Thursday
The Nooksack River is expected to overflow its banks early Thursday

Read full article from source: BBC