Devastating Flooding Event Gripping the Northwestern U.S.

A catastrophic flooding emergency is developing across parts of the Pacific Northwest as a series of powerful atmospheric rivers dumps historic levels of rain across the region. Here is the latest on what is happening in Washington and Oregon this week.

State of Emergency Declared in Washington Due to Flooding Disaster

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued a statewide state of emergency on Wednesday as multiple atmospheric rivers delivered over a foot of rain to the waterlogged state and into Oregon. Days of heavy rain have sent water levels in rivers and streams to record levels. Several rivers in Washington have already crested, with forecasters warning that more is to come in the hours ahead.

Hundreds of National Guard members are being deployed to help evacuate stranded residents. Thousands of residents have been evacuated since Wednesday. Even more people have been put on notice to be ready to evacuate if needed.

Over 16 inches of rain have been recorded over the last few days in parts of western Washington and Oregon. For instance, the community of Quinault, Washington, has recorded 16.58 inches of rain this week. A rain gauge about 12 miles northwest of Mount Olympus has picked up 14.44 inches.