Canada: Residents across the Pacific Northwest in the United States and western Canada are bracing for potentially life-threatening floods as days of relentless rainfall continue to swell major rivers and tributaries. Officials have warned that the worst may not yet be over, with additional storms forecast in the coming days.
In Washington state, heavy flooding along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers is expected to continue. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, cautioning that up to 100,000 residents could face evacuation orders as rising water levels threaten communities across the region.
The emergency proclamation warned that continued rain and potential snowfall at mountain elevations could worsen the already severe flooding conditions. While no fatalities have been reported, the governor stressed that dangerous conditions persist.
The National Water Center has issued an updated Key Messages for the ongoing Catastrophic flooding impacts this week in Washington. More info: https://t.co/UZ3ekqUUkq #flooding #wawx pic.twitter.com/KwdS8a9T5y
— National Water Center (@nwsnwc) December 11, 2025
An evacuation order in the Orting community was lifted, but authorities advised residents to remain alert as floodwaters continue shifting across the landscape. More than 30 highways remain closed across the state, with additional closures affecting Seattle-area commuters. Rescues using boats and helicopters are underway as floodwaters rapidly rise in low-lying regions.
Skagit County issued an immediate evacuation order for residents living on the floodplain, estimating that 75,000 people may need to leave their homes. Deep and fast-moving waters are expected, especially in areas including Cape Horn, Hamilton and Thunderbird, officials warned.
In Snohomish County, multiple residents trapped in their homes in Sultan were rescued overnight by helicopter, as the Snohomish River edged close to breaking flood records. Authorities in King and Snohomish counties warned that road closures could extend for several days.
Across the border in British Columbia, the communities of Tulameen, Eastgate and surrounding areas are under evacuation orders. Officials expect the Nooksack River to overflow, although flooding is not anticipated to reach the devastating levels recorded in 2021. Major highways connecting the Lower Mainland are closed, and the Sumas Border Crossing is shut to commercial traffic.
The widespread flooding is being fuelled by an atmospheric river, a weather phenomenon that funnels vast amounts of moisture across long distances, releasing it in intense bursts of rainfall. With forecasters predicting another storm on December 14, authorities across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada are urging residents to prepare for extended disruptions and heightened risks.
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