Western Washington has spent the past week at the mercy of an extraordinary atmospheric river, a weather event that funneled moisture some 7,000 miles from the Philippines straight into the Pacific Northwest. The result? Record-breaking river levels, destructive flooding, and a region scrambling to respond as water, mud, and debris upended daily life and threatened critical infrastructure.
According to reporting from FOX 13 Seattle and The Washington Post, the deluge began in earnest in the days leading up to December 12, 2025. By Thursday, December 11, most major rivers in western Washington had crested—some at heights not seen in living memory. The Skagit, Cedar, Snohomish, and Wenatchee rivers all surged to major or even record flood stages, forcing officials to issue urgent evacuation orders and brace for the worst.
Thousands of residents across the region were told to leave their homes, as authorities monitored levees and riverbanks for signs of imminent failure. In Burlington, a city hard hit by the rising Skagit River, about 10,000 people were ordered to evacuate early Friday morning. The county reported that Gages Slough had begun flooding into homes, and the National Guard went door to door, helping residents to safety.
"The good news is, most of the work had been completed before this crisis arrived, but there are still some decisions that need to be made," said Washington Governor Bob Ferguson at a press conference in Tukwila, addressing both the immediate disaster and its impact on state operations. He acknowledged that the historic flooding would likely delay the rollout of the state budget, adding, "I don't want to say exactly when that will be [...] but we'll meet our deadline."
Ferguson also announced that the Trump administration had approved Washington's request for a disaster declaration, unlocking federal funds to aid in recovery. "The original plan was to release the budget this next week; you know, we're not sure we'll meet that, given the events of the past few days," he admitted, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
At the same press conference, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized the event's severity. "[It's] supposed to be a 100-year event, but it hasn't been 100 years since the last time we had this," Cantwell said, pointing out the frequency and intensity of recent floods. She noted that the closure of Highway 2, a route with $7–$10 million in annual economic impact, and the flooding of the border town of Sumas, were stark reminders of the disaster's reach. Cantwell expressed hope that federal support would help with evacuations and infrastructure repairs.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay echoed these concerns, describing the flooding as "historic" and warning that lives, businesses, and vital infrastructure were at risk. Zahilay explained that while direct federal assistance for individuals and businesses wasn't yet available, the disaster declaration was a crucial first step: "It allows us to document impacts, coordinate with FEMA, and work toward unlocking additional support for our communities as recovery continues."
Throughout the crisis, emergency crews have been stretched thin. The Washington National Guard deployed more than 300 members to assist with sandbagging, traffic control, and evacuations. In Skagit County, they worked alongside local responders to fortify levees and help residents escape rising waters. Meanwhile, flood patrol units inspected riverbanks and levees under what Zahilay called "brutal" weather conditions. In one harrowing episode, a wastewater treatment employee became trapped at his facility during the flooding, staying for days to keep operations running until he was finally able to leave Friday morning.
Infrastructure failures were widespread. In Stehekin, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison described "substantial" damage from mud and debris slides, with Stehekin Valley Road blocked and the water treatment facility destroyed. Power outages swept through the area, leaving nearly 11,000 people in Chelan County without electricity at the peak of the storm. Restoration efforts were ongoing, but as of Friday morning, more than 3,800 customers remained in the dark. Authorities warned that drinking water could become limited, though 7 to 10 days' worth of bottled water was en route.
Transportation was another casualty. US-12 near Porter West closed due to a landslide, with images from the Washington State Department of Transportation showing uprooted trees strewn across the highway. State Route 9 and State Route 162 also faced closures from water over the roadway, cutting off access to communities and complicating rescue efforts.
Despite these challenges, there were moments of relief and resilience. In Puyallup, evacuation orders were lifted by Friday morning, though the Riverwalk Trail remained closed for damage assessment. Some evacuation notices in other areas were also rescinded as river levels gradually dropped. In Burlington, after the initial evacuation order, some residents west of the north-south railroad tracks were allowed to return home and resume business.
Community support poured in as well. On Friday, Fred Meyer and QFC announced a donation of $20,000 and several pallets of emergency supplies to the American Red Cross. "Fred Meyer and QFC are committed to showing up for our communities in moments of crisis," said Tiffany Sanders, Corporate Affairs Manager for the two companies. Alex Newman, Executive Director of the Northwest Washington Chapter of the Red Cross, responded with gratitude: "Your donation of water, snacks, and $20,000 has provided critical relief to families and communities impacted by this disaster. Hope comes from community partners that give to support our neighbors in need, and your commitment truly makes a difference."
Yet, even as some rivers receded and skies cleared briefly, officials warned the danger wasn't over. Robert Ezelle, director of Washington State Emergency Management, cautioned, "It's going to take a while for the floodwaters to recede. There's a lot of water that fell on the mountains, and it's going to take its time to work through the river drainages. So, they're not going to drop quickly." He added that more rain was expected the following week, with the Skagit River potentially reaching major flood stage again.
Throughout the ordeal, the resilience of Washington communities stood out. In Leavenworth, resident Dennis Broughton described neighbors helping each other as floodwaters rose. While some areas remained isolated by blocked roads or power outages, local authorities assured residents they were "equipped to stay for a long period of time." The National Guard, emergency crews, and volunteers worked tirelessly, embodying the spirit of a region determined to weather whatever storms come its way.
As the atmospheric river moves on and the cleanup begins, the people of western Washington face a long road to recovery—but with federal aid on the way, community support at their backs, and hard lessons learned, they're not facing it alone.