A catastrophic atmospheric river event has unleashed devastating floods across the Pacific Northwest, triggering a cross-border emergency in Washington State, USA, and British Columbia, Canada. The relentless deluge has forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate, closed critical highways, and prompted large-scale emergency rescues.
The Washington Governor has declared a statewide emergency, warning that lives are at risk. “The situation is extremely unpredictable,” the Governor stated in a briefing, urgently appealing to residents: “If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please, please, please evacuate. Your life is extremely important to us.”
The Governor confirmed the state has requested a federal emergency declaration following a direct call with FEMA officials, including General Welsh, detailing the “tremendous need” for federal assistance.
Meteorologists report the “Pineapple Express” weather phenomenon has dumped between 5 and 10 inches of rain across large swathes of the region, with some western slopes of the Cascade Mountains recording over a foot of rain in 72 hours. Rivers have responded with dangerous, record-breaking surges.
In Washington, the Skagit, Snohomish, and Puyallup river basins are among the hardest hit. The Skykomish River has crested at its highest level since 2006. Officials warn of potentially historic flooding in major agricultural areas, including a floodplain home to roughly 78,000 people.
Rescue operations are underway across inundated communities. In Orting, Washington, the Chris County Sheriff’s Office swift water team conducted active rescues at Bill and Dan’s RV Park, where recreational vehicles were completely submerged. “We have three adults currently that our swiftwater team is working on,” a team member reported from the scene, with boats deployed to assist.
North of the border, in Canada’s British Columbia, heavy rain has eased but dangers persist. Thousands in the Fraser Valley remain under threat as rivers continue to rise from the nearly 150 mm of rain that fell in less than 24 hours. Officials have expanded flood warnings and issued new evacuation orders.
The transnational impact has severed major transport links, with highway closures and suspended service between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Landslides and avalanche threats compound the crisis.
Hundreds of National Guard members are now deployed to assist with evacuations, rescues, and logistics, with first responders working around the clock to reach stranded residents.
Forecasters warn the reprieve may be brief, with another storm system predicted to hit the region by Sunday. Officials caution that full recovery from the widespread damage could take weeks, urging all residents to stay alert, heed evacuation orders, and avoid travel in affected areas.
