A relentless storm system fueled by a powerful atmospheric river has unleashed torrential rain across the Pacific Northwest, triggering extensive flooding, emergency evacuations, and widespread infrastructure disruptions throughout western Washington and Oregon.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service confirmed the system carried unusually high moisture levels from the Pacific Ocean, dumping days’ worth of rain in just hours. Several major rivers surged beyond their banks, overwhelming communities already saturated by weeks of persistent rainfall.
Communities Forced to Evacuate
In the city of Puyallup, rising river waters pushed officials to order mandatory evacuations in multiple neighborhoods after flood levels climbed well beyond safe limits. Emergency shelters were activated at community centers to assist displaced residents as responders worked through the night conducting rescue operations.
Across Oregon, the situation prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency in Clatsop, Coos, and Tillamook counties. National Guard units were deployed to support evacuations, conduct water rescues, and assist stranded motorists.
Rivers Overflow Across the Region
Several key waterways reached or approached major flood stages. The Puyallup River surged to dangerous heights, while the Skagit, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and Stillaguamish rivers all showed extreme flooding conditions. Continuous rainfall has prevented waters from receding, raising concerns that conditions could worsen before stabilizing.
Flood forecasters warned that the already waterlogged ground is incapable of absorbing additional rainfall, dramatically increasing the risk of flash flooding and landslides.
Transportation in Chaos
Floodwaters and landslides have caused extensive travel disruptions. Multiple state highways were shut down after being submerged or blocked by debris. Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham was closed following a hillside collapse, while portions of U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon coast became impassable.
Rail travel was also impacted after a landslide buried tracks near Kelso, forcing Amtrak to suspend service between Portland and Seattle. At higher elevations, avalanche danger and heavy snowfall led to intermittent closures of mountain passes, including Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass.
Power Outages and Urban Flooding
Many utility customers lost electricity at the height of the storm as downed trees and submerged power infrastructure crippled service across wide areas of western Washington and Oregon. Dense urban zones-including parts of the greater Seattle metro area-experienced flooded streets, stalled vehicles, and overwhelmed storm drains.
Dramatic Rescues as Drivers Ignore Warnings
Emergency responders conducted dozens of high-water rescues after drivers attempted to cross flooded roadways. In one incident, a man was pulled to safety after becoming trapped on the roof of his pickup truck as water rushed through a submerged street. Authorities stressed that the majority of rescues could have been avoided if motorists had followed road closure warnings.
More Rain Still Ahead
Forecasters caution that additional rainfall will continue to fall across the region in the coming days, slowing river recovery and prolonging hazards. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads whenever possible, comply with evacuation orders immediately, and prepare for extended isolation due to road and power outages.
Emergency management agencies emphasized that another round of flooding could arrive quickly if rainfall intensifies again, making preparedness critical for vulnerable communities.
