US Under State of Emergency as Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, and Other Washington Counties Are Hit by Severe Flooding, Resulting in Widespread Travel Chaos: Everything You Need to Know

Published on December 12, 2025

The US is under a state of emergency as severe flooding in Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, and other Washington counties disrupts travel, causing widespread chaos and forcing evacuations across the region. Record-breaking river crests and relentless rainfall have left communities across the state struggling to cope with the devastating effects of the flooding. Major highways, including U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 12, have been closed due to debris and mudslides, isolating numerous towns and making rescue efforts increasingly difficult. Thousands of residents are being evacuated from their homes as floodwaters rise to dangerous levels. This article covers everything you need to know about the ongoing crisis, the emergency response, and the impact on local transportation and daily life.

Skagit County: Historic Flooding and Evacuations

Skagit County has been severely impacted by the Skagit River’s record-breaking crest. Emergency measures are in place to manage the widespread damage and evacuations.

Mount Vernon: The city is under a mandatory “Go Now” evacuation order. The Skagit River is predicted to crest at a dangerous level (up to 41 feet), testing the effectiveness of the downtown floodwall built in 2018. There are concerns about the integrity of older levees, and thousands of residents have evacuated.

Burlington: The city, also located within the Skagit River’s floodplain, has issued evacuation orders. Schools and businesses are closed, and the city is preparing for possible flooding as the river nears record levels.

Sedro-Woolley: Residents near the Skagit River have been forced to evacuate, with some returning to find their homes submerged. The city has placed police cordons around affected areas, and schools remain closed.

Concrete: The town of Concrete faces extreme flooding, with the Skagit River expected to crest at 47 feet. This could threaten homes and infrastructure, causing significant debris damage.

Whatcom County: Severe Flooding and U.S.-Canada Border Disruptions

Whatcom County has experienced catastrophic flooding, particularly around the Nooksack River, leading to mass evacuations and infrastructure damage.

Sumas: The city is completely underwater, with floodwaters reaching up to 15 feet in some areas. Evacuations are in place, and helicopter rescues are ongoing for families stranded on rooftops. Much of the downtown is devastated, and the U.S.-Canada border crossing has been closed to commercial traffic.

Nooksack: The city is fully evacuated due to the Nooksack River’s overflow. Residents are facing major property losses and damage to infrastructure.

Everson: Evacuation orders have been issued as the Nooksack River floods the streets and businesses. This area is experiencing some of the worst flooding, surpassing the 2021 levels.

Welcome: Erosion caused by the Nooksack River has led to the collapse of at least two homes, which were washed away into the river.

Marietta: Parts of Marietta, along with portions of Ferndale, have been evacuated due to rising floodwaters from the Nooksack River.

Snohomish and King Counties: Record River Levels and Transportation Disruptions

These counties are grappling with record-high river levels, landslides, and transportation chaos, as rivers breach their banks and critical infrastructure faces disruption.

Snohomish: The Snohomish River has broken its all-time flood record, forcing evacuations, including a mobile home park along the river. Homes and businesses are at risk.

Index: The town of Index is experiencing significant flooding from the Skykomish River. A 50-mile stretch of U.S. Route 2 is closed due to debris and landslides, leaving the community isolated.

North Bend: A major landslide has closed eastbound Interstate 90 near North Bend, blocking one of the region’s key transportation routes. The combination of flooding and the landslide has prompted a State of Emergency declaration.

Kent: Flooding along the Green River has caused multiple road closures, particularly in low-lying areas. Residents in these flood-prone areas are facing increasing water levels.

Auburn: The city is working to install temporary flood barriers along the Green River and White River to protect homes and businesses from rising waters. Several major roads have been closed, and significant flooding is affecting local parks.

Snoqualmie: The Snoqualmie River has reached near-record levels, prompting the mayor to issue flood warnings for downtown areas. Emergency responders are on high alert as floodwaters continue to rise.

Lewis County: Double-Cresting and Community Isolation

Lewis County is facing severe flooding from the Cowlitz River, which is experiencing a “double crest” event, leaving several communities isolated.

Randle & Packwood: The towns of Randle and Packwood are suffering from severe flooding due to the Cowlitz River’s extreme rise. U.S. Route 12 has been submerged in multiple areas, cutting off access to these communities. Several evacuations have taken place as water levels continue to rise.

Current Situation

Flooding Impact: The flooding is widespread across Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, and Lewis counties, with many rivers surpassing all-time flood records. Floodwaters have submerged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure in numerous cities, prompting mass evacuations and rescue operations.

Infrastructure Damage: Major highways, including US Route 2 and US Route 12, are closed due to debris, mudslides, and flooding. The closure of roads has isolated communities, making rescue efforts more difficult.

Rescue and Evacuation Operations: Hundreds of National Guard members have been deployed to assist with evacuations and rescues. Helicopter rescues are ongoing, particularly in areas like Sumas and Nooksack, where families are trapped in flooded homes.

State of Emergency: Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency in response to the catastrophic flooding, with additional storms expected in the coming days that may further exacerbate the situation.

State of Emergency Declared

A state of emergency has been declared in Washington due to severe flooding across multiple counties, including Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, and King. The flooding has caused significant infrastructure damage, including the closure of key highways, disrupting transportation and isolating communities. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as floodwaters continue to rise. The declaration allows for federal and state resources to assist in rescue and recovery efforts, ensuring that emergency services are prioritized as the situation continues to worsen. Authorities are on high alert, anticipating further storms and rising water levels.

The US is under a state of emergency as severe flooding in Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, and other Washington counties disrupts travel, causing widespread chaos and forcing evacuations across the region.

Conclusion

The US is under a state of emergency as severe flooding in Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, and other Washington counties continues to cause widespread travel chaos and force evacuations. Record river levels and heavy rainfall have disrupted major highways, isolating communities and complicating rescue efforts. Thousands have been displaced, and emergency operations are underway to assist those affected. As the flooding persists, the crisis has led to significant infrastructure damage, with more storms expected to worsen conditions. The state of emergency remains in effect as authorities work to mitigate the ongoing disaster.