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Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025
Outside the box.
First Death Confirmed Amid Historic Flooding in Washington State
A 33-year-old man dies in submerged vehicle as atmospheric river-driven floods batter western Washington and prompt widespread evacuations
A 33-year-old man has been confirmed as the first fatality in the severe flooding that has engulfed Washington state after days of record rainfall inundated rivers, breached levees and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
The man was found in his car submerged in approximately six feet of water in Snohomish County, northeast of Seattle, after apparently driving past flood warning signs into rapidly rising floodwaters.
Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene after lifesaving efforts failed.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is under investigation.
The fatality comes as western Washington contends with flooding described by officials as historic in scale, driven by an atmospheric river that dropped more than a foot of rain in parts of the region and pushed multiple river systems to or above record flood levels.
Evacuations have been ordered in several communities, including areas south of Seattle after levee breaches along waterways such as the White and Green Rivers, and state and local authorities have mobilised National Guard units, rescue teams and sandbagging efforts to mitigate further damage and protect public safety.
Emergency management officials have warned residents not to attempt to drive through floodwaters, noting that most rescues in recent days involved vehicles stranded or overtaken by rising water.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency earlier in the week, citing life-threatening conditions and unprecedented water levels.
Rivers including the Skagit, Snohomish and others swelled to dangerous heights, flooding homes, inundating infrastructure and prompting dramatic rescues of people stranded on rooftops and in vehicles.
Though the first death has been reported, authorities said they remain focused on search and rescue operations, damage assessments and stabilising breached levees as forecasts indicate that heavy rain and elevated river flows may persist in some areas.
The region’s emergency response emphasises the ongoing risks posed by floodwaters, with efforts continuing to safeguard communities and restore critical services.
The man was found in his car submerged in approximately six feet of water in Snohomish County, northeast of Seattle, after apparently driving past flood warning signs into rapidly rising floodwaters.
Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene after lifesaving efforts failed.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is under investigation.
The fatality comes as western Washington contends with flooding described by officials as historic in scale, driven by an atmospheric river that dropped more than a foot of rain in parts of the region and pushed multiple river systems to or above record flood levels.
Evacuations have been ordered in several communities, including areas south of Seattle after levee breaches along waterways such as the White and Green Rivers, and state and local authorities have mobilised National Guard units, rescue teams and sandbagging efforts to mitigate further damage and protect public safety.
Emergency management officials have warned residents not to attempt to drive through floodwaters, noting that most rescues in recent days involved vehicles stranded or overtaken by rising water.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency earlier in the week, citing life-threatening conditions and unprecedented water levels.
Rivers including the Skagit, Snohomish and others swelled to dangerous heights, flooding homes, inundating infrastructure and prompting dramatic rescues of people stranded on rooftops and in vehicles.
Though the first death has been reported, authorities said they remain focused on search and rescue operations, damage assessments and stabilising breached levees as forecasts indicate that heavy rain and elevated river flows may persist in some areas.
The region’s emergency response emphasises the ongoing risks posed by floodwaters, with efforts continuing to safeguard communities and restore critical services.
