Record floodwaters in Washington state are slowly receding after an atmospheric river dumped more than a foot (30 cm) of rain, triggering large-scale evacuations and numerous water rescues. Governor Bob Ferguson warned water levels will remain high and confirmed a federal emergency declaration. The Skagit River peaked at 37 ft (11 m) in Mount Vernon, and roughly 1,000 residents of Burlington were evacuated while a 2018 flood wall protected downtown Mount Vernon. Overflow from the Nooksack River also worsened flooding in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, and more rain is forecast for Sunday.
Washington Floodwaters Begin To Recede After Record Rains, Evacuations and Rescues
A flooded neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, on 12 December 2025.Photograph: David Ryder/Reuters
Record-setting floodwaters across Washington state have begun to recede after several days of widespread inundation that submerged neighborhoods, prompted emergency rescues from cars and rooftops, and forced mass evacuations.
"This is not just a one- or two-day crisis," Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said at a briefing. "These water levels have been historic, and they're going to remain very high for an extended period of time." Ferguson also confirmed that President Donald Trump approved the state's request for a federal emergency declaration.
What Happened
The flooding followed an exceptionally powerful atmospheric river that dropped more than a foot (about 30 cm) of rain across parts of western Washington. The deluge caused rivers to swell, soils to saturate and levees to come under pressure. Officials reported no fatalities as of the latest briefings.
Impacts and Local Conditions
Photos and videos show whole neighborhoods under water across western and central Washington. Dozens of water rescues were carried out, while landslides and debris blocked highways and raging currents damaged roads and bridges. In Mount Vernon — the largest city in the Skagit Valley — the Skagit River peaked at 37 ft (11 m), breaking the previous record by several inches.
Delta communities such as Burlington, a farming town of roughly 10,000 residents, were particularly exposed. Roughly 1,000 Burlington residents were evacuated after muddy water spilled over a slough and entered homes. A flood wall completed in 2018 helped protect downtown Mount Vernon.
Response and Evacuations
On Wednesday, authorities issued immediate "go now" evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents in the Skagit River floodplain north of Seattle. National Guard troops went door to door in Burlington early Friday, urging residents to leave and offering transportation to temporary shelters. Parts of Burlington had evacuation orders lifted later as water levels began to drop, but officials warned that flash flooding risks remained while levees were under strain.
Regional Effects
Overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington worsened flooding across British Columbia's Fraser Valley, prompting further evacuations, inundating farmland and forcing school closures. By late Thursday, Highway 1 — the main link between the Vancouver metro area and the rest of Canada — had become a broad expanse of water as sections of the Trans-Canada Highway were submerged, leaving many unhoused residents especially vulnerable.
Outlook
Although the heaviest rain has eased, conditions remain severe across the region and additional precipitation is forecast to begin on Sunday. Officials continue to monitor river levels and reinforce levees as recovery and damage assessments get under way.
Note: The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article.
