Record Flooding Displaces Thousands in Washington State

Sat Dec 13 2025 21:40:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An unprecedented atmospheric river leads to severe flooding in western and central Washington, impacting communities and prompting emergency rescues.

In Burlington, Washington, Eddie Wicks and his family faced an unexpected and swift rise in floodwaters attributed to an atmospheric river that unleashed over a foot of rain. Thousands were forced to evacuate, with dramatic rescues conducted as rivers swelled beyond capacity. Emergency services, including the National Guard, mobilized to provide assistance, while authorities brace for potential further rainfall and risks of mudslides amidst ongoing recoveries. No fatalities have been reported yet, despite extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

BURLINGTON, Wash. (AP) — Eddie Wicks and his wife experienced an alarming rise in floodwaters on their Washington state farm known for sunflower mazes and Christmas trees. After years of living in Duvall and weathering floods, the couple did not anticipate the water would rise as quickly as it did, inundating their home in a matter of hours.

Emergency services, including the King County Sheriff’s marine rescue dive unit, worked tirelessly to evacuate residents, affecting over a thousand people in Burlington alone. This crisis stemmed from the powerful impact of an atmospheric river that inundated western and central Washington with over 30 centimeters of rain, leading to widespread evacuations and rescues.

As the floodwaters continued to rise, officials issued warnings throughout the region, particularly in the Skagit River floodplain, with authorities urging residents to evacuate immediately to protect lives and property.

Meanwhile, the National Guard was deployed to assist evacuations and provide needed support to distressed residents. Rescues involved various technology, including helicopters, utilized to save those stranded by the rising waters.

The rains are forecasted to relent gradually, yet the risk of levee failures and additional flooding from forecasted rains persists. The Washington State administration is currently managing the situation, with an emergency declaration in effect, as additional support continues to be provided from surrounding regions.

In terms of safety, reports indicate that no fatalities have occurred despite the extensive property damage highlighted by aerial images of the flooded neighborhoods. Authorities are still assessing damage and planning recovery efforts in impacted areas across the state.