Record flooding in Washington state has forced tens of thousands to evacuate after torrential rains this week.
Back-to-back atmospheric rivers brought heavy rains, strong winds and catastrophic flooding to parts of Northwest Oregon and Western Washington. Flood watches and warnings remain in effect in Western Washington after days of heavy rains.
According to KUOW, “tens of thousands of Washingtonians remain under evacuation advisories, including about 78,000 people in Skagit County’s flood plain.” Visit their live blog for ongoing updates.
Here are images and scenes from the areas affected by the flooding:
– Neighbors watch as Gages Slough overflows and floods a street in Burlington, Wash. (Megan Farmer/KUOW)
– National Guard members gather at the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department before assisting in evacuations as floodwaters rise in Burlington, Wash. (Megan Farmer/KUOW)
– Eric Gustin paddles to dry land after rescuing one of several chickens from a flooded coop in Burlington, Wash. (Stephen Brashear/AP)
– Water from the Skagit River floods farms and homes near Lyman, Wash. (Stephen Brashear/AP)
– A golden retriever named Princess is brought to safety on a kayak by residents at a flooded apartment complex near the Skykomish River in Monroe, Wash. (Megan Farmer/KUOW)
– Dennis Reasbeck has lived in Skagit County for decades and had never had to evacuate because of flooding, but he is fortifying his house before leaving town. (Mitch Borden/KNKX)
– A park in Mount Vernon, Wash., floods as the Skagit River rises. (Mitch Borden/KNKX)
– Jason Prescott puts filled sand bags into his vehicle in Mount Vernon, Wash. (Megan Farmer/KUOW)
– A person drives through flood waters from the Snohomish River in Snohomish, Wash.; tens of thousands were under evacuation orders after rivers burst their banks. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)
– Maery Schine, 11, is helped out of a rescue boat by rescue workers with the Chehalis Fire Department after evacuating with her father following flooding in Chehalis, Wash. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
Local officials have staged evacuations, deployed the National Guard and used boats and armored vehicles to reach people cut off by floodwaters. Residents have been moving pets and livestock to higher ground, filling sandbags and fortifying homes where possible.
Authorities caution that while some rivers have crested, flooding risks remain as water moves downstream and infrastructure, including roads and levees, remains vulnerable. Power outages and road closures are widespread in some areas. Residents in affected counties are urged to follow evacuation orders and check local emergency management and news outlets for the latest guidance.
Correction Dec. 12, 2025
This story has been updated to reflect the conditions in Northwest Oregon at the time of publication.
