Hold tight, America—Washington state is drowning under historic flooding, with thousands displaced and residents clinging to rooftops for safety.
According to the Daily Mail, as of Dec. 12, 2025, relentless torrential rain has triggered a state of emergency, forcing evacuations, washing out roads, and prompting President Trump to order emergency FEMA aid, while officials brace for catastrophic river crests and warn of further weather threats.
The crisis unfolded with days of heavy downpours, pushing rivers to record levels and displacing thousands from their homes across Washington, leaving many stranded atop cars and houses.
In western Washington, flood warnings have placed 100,000 residents in Skagit and Snohomish counties under urgent Level 3 evacuation orders, signaling an immediate need to flee.
On Dec. 11, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson announced that President Trump had approved the state’s request for an emergency declaration, securing vital FEMA assistance to tackle the disaster.
Ferguson warned of worsening conditions, stating, “On the Skagit River, for example, the river will be cresting [Friday] mid-morning. Again, that is expected to be a historic level on that river.” While his caution is well-placed, one wonders if earlier infrastructure investments could have mitigated such dire predictions—government foresight seems perennially in short supply.
By Dec. 11, 2025, the Snohomish River at Snohomish hit a record-breaking 34.15 feet, though it’s expected to drop to 20 feet by Dec. 14, 2025, offering a sliver of relief.
The destruction is staggering—bridges are submerged, major roads are gone, families have been plucked from rooftops, and at least two homes were ripped from their foundations by the raging waters. To bolster response efforts, over 300 Washington National Guard members have been deployed for evacuations and to provide critical medical care amid the chaos.
The Everson Police Department sounded the alarm on rising crime post-flood, warning, “Looting will not be tolerated. Anyone caught stealing or trespassing on damaged or evacuated properties will be arrested and held accountable.” It’s a grim reminder that in times of crisis, law and order must hold firm against opportunists—kudos to local enforcement for drawing a hard line.
Health risks are also mounting, with the Snohomish County Health Department urging residents to toss out flood-contaminated food, medicine, or cosmetics unless sealed in waterproof packaging, and to sanitize such items with a bleach solution before use.
Meteorologists attribute this deluge to an unusually potent atmospheric river, while the National Weather Service cautions that more such systems could strike the West later this month, heightening risks of additional floods and landslides.
The broader West Coast, spanning the U.S. and Canada, is caught in a “storm highway” of clashing pressure systems over California and northwestern Canada, mixing dry and wet conditions into a volatile brew.
Governor Ferguson expressed gratitude for federal support, noting, “I expressed my thanks to Secretary Noem on behalf of the people of Washington during this extremely challenging time.” While appreciation is due, let’s hope this aid translates to real recovery, not just photo ops—Washingtonians need action, not platitudes, to rebuild.
As the state fights this natural onslaught, it’s a stark call for robust disaster preparedness over reactive bureaucracy, proving once again that Mother Nature doesn’t bow to political agendas or progressive wishful thinking about climate fixes.