Beginning on Tuesday, December 2, a series of powerful atmospheric rivers swept through Washington state, producing historic flooding and widespread damage to infrastructure and critical lifelines. By Thursday, December 11, days of torrential rain had inundated communities across western Washington, prompting tens of thousands of evacuations, washing over bridges and major roadways, and sweeping multiple homes off their foundations. While authorities continue to assess the full extent of damage, Snohomish County—one of the most severely impacted counties in the state—has reported millions of dollars of infrastructure damage. Additionally, as of Tuesday, December 16, one weather-related fatality has been confirmed.
Response efforts continue across the region as officials warn that a third storm is forecast to arrive on December 16. While rainfall from this storm is not expected to be as substantial as the previous events, it will fall on already saturated ground, intensifying the potential threat of landslides.
Floodwaters in Snohomish County, Washington: Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM)
Significant Infrastructure Damage and Impacts to Critical Lifelines
The second atmospheric river to impact the Pacific Northwest this month delivered historic rainfall, prompting catastrophic flooding across Washington. Numerous rivers reached record-breaking levels, including the Skagit River, which crested nearly 10 feet above flood stage on Friday, December 12. Floodwaters overtopped Gages Slough—a natural waterway connected to the Skagit River in Burlington, Washington—forcing nearly 11,000 residents to evacuate. Although some evacuation orders were partially lifted Sunday, December 14, officials urge residents to remain cautious.
Additionally, the Snohomish River crested above 34 feet on December 12, flooding surrounding neighborhoods and leaving a trail of mud and debris. By Saturday, December 13, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue (SRFR) reported rescuing over three dozen people trapped by rising floodwaters. Overall, approximately 395 people have been rescued across 11 Washington counties since the start of the storms, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Heavy rainfall also prompted a flash flood warning in King County, Washington, on December 16 after levee breaches along the White River levee and Green River sent floodwaters into nearby neighborhoods, critical access routes, and Interstate 405.
The deluge of rain has also led to landslides across Washington, causing severe infrastructure damage to western portions of the state. As of December 16, FEMA reports that 14 state routes remain closed, including a 50-mile stretch of US Highway 2 (US-2). The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that repairs to the economically crucial US-2 will likely take months to complete.
As of this morning more than 250 Guard members are supporting on-going flood response operations in Western WA. Our team has filled nearly 15,000 sandbags, continue to support traffic control points, evacuations, hoist missions and swift water rescues. pic.twitter.com/yqaPNwQS97
— WA National Guard (@WANationalGuard) December 15, 2025
X: Washington National Guard
Amid the storms, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, December 10, which was shortly thereafter approved by President Donald Trump. FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance would be made available to the state of Washington on December 12 to supplement response efforts due to persisting emergency conditions.
Know your risks, be prepared.
As communities brace for another round of heavy rain and intense winds, it is important to understand your risks and follow guidance from officials. In the event of a flood, FEMA recommends that individuals seek higher ground, avoid walking or driving in floodwaters, and heed warnings from local authorities. Often, the most important step is to seek shelter away from the water, which may require reaching the highest ground possible or evacuating the area if directed by local authorities. Throughout a flooding event, individuals should pay close attention to emergency alerts and/or their local alerting systems for the most up-to-date information. Consider accessing the Emergency Alert System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for the latest warnings, watches, and advisories. For more flood safety information, visit Ready.gov.
Flood Safety Tips: National Weather Service (NWS)
Supporting Recovery and Long-Term Resilience
As response efforts continue and communities begin looking toward recovery, Hagerty’s seasoned emergency management professionals stand ready to support state, local, and federal partners. Our expert team can rapidly deploy, serving as force multipliers during response operations and deliver a comprehensive suite of during- and post-disaster recovery capabilities to help communities rebuild and strengthen resilience for future events.