Washington declares emergency as floods and mudslides worsen

Officials in Washington state are urging roughly 100,000 people to evacuate certain areas as an intense atmospheric river brings heavy rain, widespread flooding and dangerous mudslides.

(CNN)- Officials in Washington state are urging roughly 100,000 people to evacuate certain areas as an intense atmospheric river brings heavy rain, widespread flooding and dangerous mudslides.

The relentless rainfall has already prompted Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a state of emergency, warning that some rivers could reach historic levels in the coming days. “The situation is extremely serious,” Ferguson said. “The next few days are going to be very critical.”

Rescue crews have been working around the clock as water levels rise. Video shows emergency teams pulling stranded residents to safety across multiple communities. One woman, Laurie, who was rescued from the Yakima River banks, described a harrowing escape with her pets: “I found myself stuck on a little piece of land out there with my four cats and had to wade through water up to my chest… It was very cold and very swift.”

Shelters across south-central Washington are now caring for evacuees.

Transportation routes remain heavily impacted. At least two major mudslides have blocked sections of Interstate 90, complicating emergency response efforts. In the Seattle area, a gas station sustained structural damage from the flooding, while further north, volunteers are working to reinforce an old dike system along the Skagit River. “At a time like this, it’s all hands on deck,” said Jay Renwick, whose company is helping with sandbag operations.

Forecasters warn the storm’s dangers will continue into Friday, with more rain expected and the potential for additional landslides and flooding. “The impact on Washingtonians is significant now, and it’s gonna be significant in the coming days,” Ferguson said. “And that is an understatement.”