“Catastrophic” flooding is expected to hit parts of Skagit, Snohomish and King counties Thursday as rivers swell and the region is drenched in rain.
Authorities have ordered evacuation for parts of Orting in Pierce County, parts of Skagit County, including Mount Vernon, and Ebey Island east of Everett. An estimated 100,000 Washingtonians could face evacuation orders as floodwaters continue to rise, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office said Wednesday afternoon.
Ferguson already declared a state of emergency, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she’s working to get federal assistance for those impacted.
In Grays Harbor County, a nearly century old dam in Lake Sylvia State Park is showing signs of stress. Although it hasn’t failed yet, it could get worse if these weather conditions continue.
The Carbon River near Fairfax; Cedar River near Renton; Puyallup River near Orting; Elwha River near Port Angeles; Snohomish River at Snohomish; Stillaguamish River at Arlington; and the Skagit River at Concrete and Mount Vernon were all expected to either swell above their record height or come within inches of the record.
The Skagit is expected to rise aggressively until a peak around 4 a.m. Thursday in the Concrete area.
More articles about the flooding:
- Mount Vernon braces for potentially historic flood - Seattle Times [archive link]
- Floods may force 100K to evacuate near Skagit, Snohomish, other WA rivers - Seattle Times [archive link]
- ‘Catastrophic’ flooding expected in King, Snohomish, Skagit counties - Seattle Times [archive link]
- Governor Ferguson declares statewide emergency responding to major flooding - The Office of the Governor of Washington State [archive link]
- ‘Historic’ flooding prompts WA governor to declare emergency [archive link]
- Pacific Northwest under flood alerts as atmospheric river brings heavy rain - NBC News [archive link]
- Tens of thousands in Washington could face evacuations as rain continues to pound the region - AP News [archive link]
Map: 
Quick! Fire some more meteorologists!