Residents across the Pacific Northwest are gearing up for what could be some of the worst flooding the region has ever seen.
And the culprit? An atmospheric river — a massive airborne conveyor belt of moisture.
It’s been dumping relentless rain on already swollen rivers. Sounds dramatic? It is.
In Oregon and Washington, the US National Weather Service is warning of “catastrophic flooding”, especially along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers.
Thousands have already been told to evacuate.
Washington’s governor, Bob Ferguson, has declared a statewide emergency.
He said as many as 100,000 people may soon be forced to leave their homes.
“This isn’t over — more rain is coming,” officials caution.
Flood Threat Intensifies
Communities like Skagit County, Snohomish County, and King County are grappling with washed-out roads and helicopter rescues.
Rivers are creeping dangerously close to record levels.
One sheriff’s office even described the Snohomish River as “dancing with records” as water pushed against flood walls.
North of the border, British Columbia isn’t faring much better.
Entire highways to Vancouver are shut down, border crossings are closed, and towns like Tulameen, Eastgate, and Abbotsford are under evacuation orders.
The Nooksack River threatens to spill over. The rain may ease by Thursday afternoon — but the floodwaters won’t.
And with another storm expected Sunday, one question lingers.
How much more can the region take before the skies finally give it a break?
