Severe flooding and powerful storms driven by a persistent atmospheric river have swept across Washington state, leaving thousands of residents without power, inundating communities and prompting widespread evacuations as emergency services race to respond.

The rains, one of the most intense systems to hit the Pacific Northwest this season, have swollen rivers, washed out roads and downed trees and power lines across western and central parts of the state.

Rivers including the Skagit and Snoqualmie have surged toward or above major flood stages, raising alarms among local officials about infrastructure stress and property damage.

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Thousands of customers have experienced power outages as wind-driven rain and saturated ground conditions brought trees and utility lines down, compounding challenges for crews working to restore service amid ongoing severe weather.

Utility officials say restoration efforts are underway but caution that conditions could slow progress, particularly where roads are flooded or blocked by debris.

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Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency as rivers continued to rise and communities braced for further rainfall through the coming days.

The emergency declaration enables the deployment of additional state resources and the activation of the Washington National Guard, while also underpinning a formal request to federal authorities for disaster relief and assistance.

Hundreds of National Guard personnel will support evacuations, rescues and community safety operations.

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Local authorities have issued mandatory or recommended evacuation orders in flood-prone areas, urging residents near major waterways to move to higher ground as rain continues to fall.

Tens of thousands of people in counties north of Seattle, including areas around Mount Vernon and Concrete, face heightened risk as rivers like the Skagit approach critical thresholds, potentially overwhelming existing flood defences.

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Emergency management teams are also monitoring landslide risks in steeper terrain and ensuring that road closures and high water warnings are communicated to the public.

With further precipitation forecast, officials urge residents to avoid floodwaters, prepare for extended power outages and stay informed through official channels as response operations evolve across the state.

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