• Tens of thousands in Washington state face evacuation due to severe flooding.
• Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency warning of “catastrophic flooding.”
• The Skagit and Snohomish rivers are predicted to reach historic flood levels.
• Emergency services have mobilized, with the National Guard deployed to assist.
• Another storm system is expected this weekend, prolonging flooding risks.

Washington state is on high alert as severe flooding due to heavy rainfall is forcing evacuation preparations for tens of thousands of residents. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency, stating, "Lives will be at stake in the coming days" as the state braces for what could be record-setting flood levels. Reports estimate that as many as 100,000 residents may soon face evacuation orders, particularly in floodplains along major rivers like the Skagit and Snohomish, which are predicted to crest at historic levels as early as Friday morning, according to CBS News and India Times.

As continuous heavy rain fell across the region, the National Weather Service warned of "catastrophic flooding" and the possibility of significant landslides. Emergency responders have already conducted various rescues, including people stranded in RV parks and blocked roadways. More than 17,000 residents have already lost power as flooding has hampered emergency services, with the National Guard prepared to dispatch hundreds of members to assist local efforts, according to LA Times and CBS News.

Authorities in Skagit County issued an immediate evacuation order for residents living within the 100-year floodplain, highlighting the urgency by informing them to relocate to higher ground. The anticipated flood levels could overtop existing flood barriers, creating a potentially catastrophic scenario for several communities that have historically dealt with flooding issues. According to local officials, over 75,000 residents may be directly affected by these flood forecasts, as indicated by the emergency management division's report, as stated in BBC and India Times.

The catastrophic rainfall is attributed to an atmospheric river phenomenon bringing continuous moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Meteorologists stress that additional storms are projected to arrive starting this Sunday, exacerbating the already unsettled conditions in the region. "The pattern looks pretty unsettled going up to the holidays," noted meteorologist Harrison Rademacher, emphasizing the continued threat of flooding, according to LA Times and CBS News.