Thousands prepare to evacuate as flooding hits Pacific Northwest

Residents of the U.S. Pacific Northwest and western Canada are bracing for potentially life-threatening flooding as many rivers and tributaries are swollen after days of heavy rain.

On Thursday, the National Water Center reported that major flooding is occurring along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers in Washington state and is expected to continue into Friday.

In Canada, major highways into Vancouver are closed due to the risk of flooding, mudslides and avalanches.

Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate across the United States and Canada, and authorities have warned that more rain is possible.

In the United States, Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington state declared a state of emergency across the state and estimated that 100,000 residents could face evacuation orders.

The state of emergency warned that rain and possibly snow in high areas of the mountain region could worsen the flooding situation.

Governor Ferguson said there were no reports of deaths, but warned residents the danger was not over yet.

“For example, on the Skagit River, the river will crest tomorrow morning. Again, historic levels are expected for that river,” he told CNN Thursday night.

He warned that recovery from the storm would take “weeks” and appealed for federal help.

Evacuation orders have been lifted for the Orting community south of Seattle, but Central Pierce Fire Rescue warned residents to “remain alert into the evening.”

“Remember, turn around so you don't drown,” the police wrote to X on Thursday.

More than 30 freeways were closed across the state, affecting commuters in the Seattle area.

Flooding affected all of western Washington, as well as as far south as the Oregon coast.

Skagit County, a major agricultural region north of Seattle, issued an immediate evacuation order for residents living in flood plains. Officials said about 75,000 people will be evacuated from low-lying areas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday that the Skagit River would cause “near-record severe flooding from lower Lockport through Sedro-Woolley.”

It warned of “deep and fast flooding” particularly in the Cape Horn, Hamilton and Thunderbird areas.

Rescue operations are underway across the state using rubber boats and helicopters.

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office announced in a social media post overnight that “multiple” people trapped in their homes were rescued by helicopter in Sultan, Washington, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northeast of Seattle.

Officials said the Snohomish River is experiencing major flooding, with water “doing a record dance” against local seawalls.

Officials in King and Snohomish counties, including the city of Seattle, warned that road closures could last several days.

Across the border in British Columbia, the communities of Tulameen and Eastgate, as well as several other areas, are under evacuation orders.

City officials said the Nooksack River is expected to overflow its banks, and flooding is expected to be less severe than in 2021, which caused significant damage and five deaths in the state.

According to travel information website DriveBC, most major highways into the Lower Mainland are currently closed.

The U.S.-Canada Sumas border crossing is also closed to commercial traffic.

The entire region, which spans parts of the United States and Canada, received torrential rain from atmospheric rivers. This phenomenon is when water evaporates into the air and flows on the wind, forming long streams that rush through the sky, much like rivers flow over land.

Forecasters warned of another storm coming Sunday.