Name: Dozens rescued as severe flooding devastates Pacific Northwest
Uploaded: 2025-12-11T14:48:21.083Z
Duration: 2 min 25 s
Description: Across western Washington, up to 15 inches of rain slammed neighborhoods, covering cars and surrounding homes after an atmospheric river brought downpours for a third consecutive day. Tens of thousands were told to evacuate and as the water rose, first responders rescued dozens of people.

Across western Washington, up to 15 inches of rain slammed neighborhoods, covering cars and surrounding homes after an atmospheric river brought downpours for a third consecutive day. Tens of thousands were told to evacuate and as the water rose, first responders rescued dozens of people.

Washington

Severe flooding has struck the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Washington, where multiple communities have been evacuated and a state of emergency declared. Heavy rainfall, measuring up to 15 inches in some areas, has caused rivers to overflow, swamping homes and vehicles and prompting first responders and volunteers to rescue dozens of residents.

The Skykomish River reached its highest level since 2006, and tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate, including those in areas not affected by such orders for decades. Officials warn that the impact will be significant in the coming days, with more rain forecast and recovery expected to be long and challenging.

Dozens rescued as severe flooding devastates Pacific Northwest

severe flooding in the Pacific Northwest. Several communities there in Washington had to be evacuated. The governor has declared a state of emergency. Some of the worst flooding there in decades. Another major weather system dropping more than a half a foot of snow in the Midwest and Northeast. Carter Evans is in Preston, Washington. That is just east of Seattle with more. Carter, good morning. Tony, as you said, we're just about 20 miles east of Seattle and behind me is the raging river. You can see where it gets its name, although it's not always like this. It's overflowing its banks right now. A rain gauge not far from here has measured seven inches of rain since Sunday. And now communities around here are preparing potentially for a couple of days of rising flood waters. Across Western Washington, up to 15 inches of rain devastated neighborhoods, swamping cars and surrounding homes after an atmospheric river brought downpours for a third consecutive day. This is the worst I've seen. It was okay until I walked out and saw it this bad. The Sky Homeless River crested at 24 feet about an hour northeast of Seattle, reaching its highest level since 2006 and nine feet above flood stage. Tens of thousands were told to evacuate, including some in areas that rarely see evacuation orders. We haven't had one in 34 years. You can see the RVs that are underwater behind me. As the water quickly rose, first responders rescued dozens, using boats to bring people to safety in this RV park. We'll get you up on the shore here. Across Washington State, they were joined by volunteers like Brandon Hunt. Yeah, I helped some folks that came across them waving their hands on their front door and they didn't know what to do. I helped them get out of their yard and got them to safety. Washington's governor said even after the water recedes, it'll be a long, difficult road ahead. Look, the impact on Washingtonians is significant now and it's gonna be significant in the coming days and that is an understatement. Okay, so experts are saying, now look at this water behind me. It only takes about six inches of fast-moving water to sweep away a person and it only takes about 12 inches of water to cause a car to float away. So think twice before driving through flooded streets and the rain like this, it's supposed to continue happening for a couple of days now. Stay safe. Tony. Carter, stay safe. Thank you.

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