Chaos in Washington Today! Extreme Flooding Swept Away Homes, Cars in Oregon

Chaos in Washington Today! Extreme Flooding Swept Away Homes, Cars in Oregon

The Pacific Northwest is grappling with the severe aftermath of a powerful atmospheric river event, which has inundated parts of Oregon and Washington with relentless heavy rainfall, leading to major river flooding, widespread road closures, and multiple emergency rescues. The region has been impacted by a prolonged weather pattern, with the first pulse of heavy rain making landfall early on December 9th, followed by a stronger second pulse forecast to persist through December 11th. Portland International Airport in Oregon has already recorded over 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of rain within a 24-hour period, with some areas in the Oregon Coast Range expected to receive up to 7 inches of rain throughout the duration of the storm. The flooding has caused significant disruption and damage across Oregon. Emergency crews have conducted several high-water rescues. Firefighters along Interstate 5 between Portland and Seattle used inflatable kayaks to rescue individuals from stranded vehicles, including a semi-truck driver. Widespread standing floodwater has prompted numerous road closures, particularly across Tillamook County on the Oregon coast. Transportation officials in Portland warned drivers of an increased risk of hydroplaning and crashes due to the hazardous conditions. Urban flooding has been a significant issue in downtown Seattle, where standing water and overwhelmed storm drains have caused hydroplaning and traffic delays. Meanwhile, Washington State is currently grappling with a severe environmental crisis as a powerful and persistent atmospheric river brings torrential rain, widespread flooding, and extreme wind gusts across the region. The extensive weather event has led Governor Jay Inslee to declare a statewide emergency, mobilizing the National Guard and coordinating an extensive multi-agency response as communities from the Cascade foothills to the coast face unprecedented water levels and infrastructure damage. The sheer volume of water has pushed numerous rivers to major flood stage, with several expected to reach or exceed historical record levels. The Skagit River near Mount Vernon is forecast to crest above 40 feet, threatening major breaches of the levee system. The Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Snohomish, and Puyallup rivers have all exceeded flood stage, inundating surrounding low-lying agricultural areas and residential communities. In Southwestern Washington, communities along the Chehalis River experienced some of the most severe flooding in decades.


#storm #flashfloods #flooding #floods #oregon #washington

Дата на публикация: 10 декември, 2025
Категория: Друго