Washington Remains Under “Statewide Emergency” With Historic Flooding

By Grant Bromley

on Dec 11, 2025

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Beginning on Dec. 8, a storm cycle began moving through the Pacific Northwest of the United States, with evacuations beginning in cities in Washington on Dec. 10 and continuing into Dec. 11.
Beginning on Dec. 8, a storm cycle began moving through the Pacific Northwest of the United States, with evacuations beginning in cities in Washington on Dec. 10 and continuing into Dec. 11. Here, a water rescue can be seen in Duvall, Washington, where a woman and a dog were rescued from their home on Dec. 11. (Photo credit: Eastside Fire & Rescue / Facebook)

Situation Remains “Unpredictable” As Atmospheric Rivers Persist

During a press conference at noon (PST), or 3 p.m. (EST), on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Skagit County, Washington, WA Gov. Bob Ferguson said, “The situation is … unpredictable, and that’s what we want to communicate to Washingtonians.”

Noting that he and state and local emergency management agencies are “using the best information” presently available to “provide guidance” to residents, Ferguson went on to state, “If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please, please, please evacuate. Your life is extremely important to us.”

Ferguson noted that 31 highways have closed as of daylight today, more than doubling the tally of closed highways from Dec. 10.

On Dec. 10, “go now” orders were issued to residents of Skagit County, with approximately 75,000 residents evacuating from that area.

Statewide, over 100,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate.

According to Skagit County’s website, the Skagit River is expected to crest in Concrete, Washington, at 46.13 feet, which is about seven feet higher than the 2021 record of 38.93 feet.

Similarly, in Mount Vernon, Washington, is predicted to crest at 42.13 feet, which is nine feet higher than the 33.11-foot record in 2021.

Just before 1 p.m. (PST) on Dec. 11, Pierce County received a “go now” order, with water rescues having already been conducted in the area.

Discussions between FEMA and state officials are underway, and the entire Congressional delegation for the state of Washington has signed a letter addressed to President Donald Trump in hopes of the state having an expedited emergency declaration issued.

That letter may be viewed here:

What Is Causing This Flooding?

This storm cycle began on Monday, Dec. 8, putting many in the Pacific Northwest at risk of flooding, including portions of British Columbia, Canada.

Among those who addressed the press and Washingtonians at the Dec. 11 emergency press conference was Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington State Emergency Management Division.

Ezelle reiterated the “unpredictable” and “dangerous” nature of the storm, and then detailed, “What has been happening is we’re experiencing back-to-back atmospheric rivers with very, very significant rainfall that essentially caused rivers to rise a couple days ago.”

While the rivers did drop a little, Ezelle stated that as of Dec. 11, many Washingtonians are “experiencing the crest of the second atmospheric river that came through.”

Looking to the numbers, Ezelle said that EMA was anticipating record-breaking flood levels, but has observed that the river has largely matched past flooding records.

Still, he said Washingtonians in Burlington and Mount Vernon, WA, are not yet “out of the woods,” as EMA is expecting flooding to be at least two feet higher in those cities than in the past.

“It’s going to most likely be worse than you experienced in 2021,” Ezelle stated, noting that the state has done work since then to strengthen the levees.

Both sides of the Cascades and Western Washington have received the brunt of this cycle.

Ezelle concluded his remarks by saying, “Do what you have to do to keep safe.”

Watch the press conference with Gov. Bob Ferguson and EMA Dir. Robert Ezelle, here:

YouTube video

CNN reports that as rains are beginning to dissipate, there is another atmospheric river on the move that is expected to go over Washington next week.

Rescues Underway Amid Evacuations

Rescues have been conducted by many local first responders, with Eastside Fire & Rescue — which covers responses for Carnation, Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish, Woodinville, Mercer Island, and Duvall — posting photos of a water rescue in Duvall, Washington, this afternoon.

Describing the flooding in Pierce County, Washington, as the “worst” he’s seen, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank encouraged residents of Washington at 9 a.m. (EST) to evacuate.

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About the Author

Grant Bromley

Howdy, I’m Grant, a multimedia storyteller and lover of the arts. Whether it’s Copland’s ballet Rodeo or Peckinpah’s iconic Western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, I have an appreciation for works that engage with the American mythos. Covering news, I help tell the stories that define our shared tomorrow.

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