Historic flooding and severe storms have battered the Pacific Northwest, leaving more than 400,000 residents without power and forcing hundreds from their homes as rivers surged above flood stage and infrastructure buckled under the onslaught. The region, particularly Washington and Oregon, has faced a relentless parade of atmospheric river storms since mid-December 2025, prompting state and local officials to issue dire warnings, order evacuations, and mount large-scale rescue and repair operations.
According to ABC News, damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall swept across multiple states, toppling trees and power lines and plunging over 254,000 Washingtonians and nearly 136,000 Oregonians into darkness. Rivers such as the Skagit at Mount Vernon and the Snoqualmie at Carnation swelled beyond their banks, with the Skagit expected to reach major flood stage by December 18 and the Snoqualmie nearing that threshold by the evening of December 17. The National Weather Service forecasted yet another round of heavy rain for Oregon, southern Washington, and northern California at the end of the week, compounding the region’s woes.
In a press conference on December 16, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson described the situation as “one of the most devastating in our state’s history” and “a major, major event,” as reported by Cox Media Group. Ferguson emphasized the seriousness of the crisis, highlighting that more than 1,200 rescues had been carried out across at least ten counties as record rainfall inundated Western Washington. However, he later clarified on X.com that the number of rescues stood at roughly 629 as of the previous afternoon. “Our infrastructure has been compromised,” Ferguson warned, adding, “we’re in for the long haul.”
The toll on infrastructure has been severe. At least 13 state highways were closed, with another seven operating under restrictions, and Highway 2, a critical east-west route, sustained such damage that it is expected to remain closed for months. To bolster the response, Ferguson signed an amendment to the state’s emergency declaration, expanding support and activating cash and benefits assistance programs for affected counties. The state is also seeking federal funding, following an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump that provided immediate assistance but, notably, lacked financial aid.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in Snohomish County, where, as ABC News and Cox Media Group both reported, a 33-year-old man died after driving past road closure signs into a flooded area near Lowell Larimer Road and Marsh Road around 1:30 a.m. on December 16. The man’s vehicle became completely submerged in approximately six feet of water. Rescue swimmers managed to extract him from the car, but despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities stated there were no other occupants in the vehicle and that it was not yet known whether drugs or alcohol played a role. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death.
The city of Pacific, Washington, became a focal point of the unfolding disaster after a levee breach along the White River set off an urgent overnight evacuation on December 16. According to reporting from Cox Media Group and local news outlets, the breach—measuring 40 to 50 feet wide—prompted a flash flood warning and forced residents in low-lying neighborhoods to flee. Yvette Gomez, a local resident, recounted the terrifying moment: “Imagine being asleep and woken up by a helicopter telling you you’ve got to leave. That was scary.” First responders used loudspeakers and went door to door, with the King County Sheriff’s Office marine unit evacuating more than 300 people, including two dozen who could not leave on their own. Water levels rose rapidly, in some cases going from ankle-deep to chest-deep in a matter of minutes.
Repair crews from the King County Department of Local Services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Washington National Guard worked tirelessly to plug the levee breach with massive sandbags, preventing further floodwaters from inundating city streets. Brent Champaco, a spokesperson for the county’s Department of Local Services, cautioned, “The job is still not done. Temporary measures to address the river are still in place.” As of December 17, about 220 homes had been impacted and likely damaged by the flooding in Pacific, and evacuation orders remained in effect while the integrity of the levee patch was monitored. “They want to make sure that it’s 100 percent functional and working before they let folks back in,” Champaco explained.
Floodwaters have begun to recede in Pacific, but the threat is far from over. With Mud Mountain Dam releasing water to manage swollen reservoir levels, the White River is expected to run high into the following week, and three inspection teams are conducting regular patrols along the levee to check for any new leaks or weak spots. The King County official warned of over a dozen vulnerable points in the levee system, underscoring the ongoing risk to communities downstream.
The state’s response has included the delivery of approximately 70,000 pounds of food to local pantries and shelters serving displaced residents. Multiple warming centers and shelters have opened, including the Pacific Senior Center, Pacific Community Center gym, Auburn Community and Events Center, and the Filipino American Community of Puget Sound in Algona. Alpac Elementary School has provided parking and restrooms for evacuees, and sandbags have been distributed at strategic locations. City offices in Pacific remain closed for regular business as officials prioritize emergency operations and communication.
Complicating the response, the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for much of Western Washington from the afternoon of December 16 through the morning of December 17, with expected gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Residents were urged to secure outdoor items, avoid trees and power lines, and limit travel, particularly in high-profile vehicles. The warning covered a broad swath of the region, including Everett, Marysville, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Tacoma, and coastal communities like Westport and Ocean Shores.
As the region braces for more rain and the long process of recovery, Governor Ferguson urged residents to heed official instructions and evacuation orders. “If you get an evacuation order, follow it,” he stressed, emphasizing that safety remains the top priority as conditions continue to evolve. The trauma of sudden evacuations, the uncertainty of returning home, and the daunting scale of repairs have left an indelible mark on the affected communities. Yet, the swift mobilization of first responders, the resilience of local residents, and the coordinated efforts of state and federal agencies offer hope that the Pacific Northwest will weather this historic crisis—and emerge stronger on the other side.
