Fri Dec 12 09:28:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text followed by a news article based on that information:
Summary:
Washington State is experiencing catastrophic flooding due to torrential rains brought on by an atmospheric river. Tens of thousands are under evacuation orders as rivers reach historic levels. Homes have been ripped from foundations, bridges washed over, and major roads inundated. Rescues are underway, and the U.S.-Canada border crossing at Sumas is closed. While scientists can’t definitively link this single event to climate change, they note that climate change generally contributes to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Another storm system is expected to hit the region soon.
News Article:
Historic Floods Devastate Washington State; State of Emergency Declared
Mount Vernon, WA – December 12, 2025: Washington State is grappling with unprecedented flooding after days of torrential rain triggered by an atmospheric river. A state of emergency has been declared, with tens of thousands of residents under evacuation orders as rivers have surged to record levels, submerging entire towns and disrupting critical infrastructure.
The Snohomish River surpassed its previous record by nearly a foot, and the Skagit River narrowly exceeded its record in Mount Vernon. The flooding has ripped homes from their foundations, washed over bridges, and inundated major roads, cutting off entire communities. State Route 410 and Interstate 90 are experiencing closures due to the floods and a landslide respectively.
Rescue efforts are underway, with helicopters being deployed to evacuate residents stranded on rooftops in towns like Sumas, near the U.S.-Canada border, which has been particularly hard hit. The Sumas border crossing is closed, and Amtrak has suspended service between Seattle and Vancouver.
“We’re looking at a historic situation,” Governor Bob Ferguson stated on X, urging residents to heed evacuation orders. The mayor of Sumas described the devastation as impacting most of the city.
The crisis has sparked renewed discussions about the impact of climate change. While scientists cannot definitively link this specific event to climate change, they note that it is contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events overall.
Unfortunately, the region is bracing for another storm system expected to arrive on Sunday, raising concerns about further flooding. Authorities continue to urge residents to evacuate immediately and remain vigilant as the situation unfolds.
First Piper 