Flood Warnings Persist as Skagit River Reaches Record Levels

After severe flooding in western Washington, residents along the Skagit River brace for potential levee failures. With the river cresting at historic heights, evacuations took place in Burlington, while atmospheric river storms have drenched the region. Federal aid has been expedited to manage the crisis.

In western Washington, residents and emergency personnel brace for possible levee failures along the Skagit River as severe flooding inundates the region. The National Guard assists with evacuations after the river reached a record height of nearly 38 feet, leading to a mandatory evacuation of Burlington.

With no casualties reported, the Burlington-Mount Vernon area remains a focal point of the deluge caused by a series of atmospheric river storms that affected areas from northern Oregon through British Columbia. Rainfall in this period equivalated to a month's worth within a week across most of the inundated area.

The National Weather Service warns of continuing flood risks, with more rainstorms predicted. Federal emergency aid has been enacted to support road clearance and provide shelters. The potential for further levee failures threatens to escalate the already significant flood damage throughout western Washington and parts of British Columbia.