Washington Homeowners Evacuated as ‘Catastrophic’ Flooding Devastates the State

Washington’s governor declared a statewide emergency and activated the National Guard on Wednesday as devastating floods submerged homes and roads across the western part of the state.

An atmospheric river developed midweek, in which moisture spanned an extraordinary 7,000 miles across the Pacific from the Philippines to the Pacific Northwest, according to The Weather Channel. The effect pushed river levels to record highs and triggered destructive flooding.

More rain is expected through Thursday, meaning these dangerous conditions could continue to affect homeowners in areas such as Snohomish and Skagit counties through the end of the week.

Many residents in western Washington have already evacuated, seeking higher ground to escape the rising waters.

“We anticipate potentially 100,000 Washingtonians facing evacuation orders,” Gov. Bob Ferguson shared on X. “The situation is fluid and changing all the time. We expect rivers to hit historic levels as early as 4 a.m. tomorrow, lasting into Friday morning.”

A few hours later, Ferguson posted an update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center, which forecast 18 major floods and 15 moderate floods statewide through the end of the week.

Washington flood map: Which residents are hit the hardest?

The National Weather Service released a map outlining the projected impacts of the storm and warned of the potential for “catastrophic flooding,” particularly along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers through Thursday.

Additionally, “considerable flooding impacts” remain likely across the Cascade Foothills and into the Puget Sound region, with conditions expected to continue into Friday.

While more urban areas like Seattle have not been as severely affected, the NWS warned that river flooding is possible throughout much of western Washington and even parts of northern Oregon.

Potential for landslides

The NWS also warned that landslides are likely in areas of steep terrain within the considerable and catastrophic flood regions. Landslides are common along the Pacific coastline and in mountainous areas throughout the state.

For homeowners, the hope is that landslide insurance is already in place.

Homeowners can obtain landslide coverage through a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy.

“DIC policies fill in gaps left by standard property insurance, covering risks like landslides that fall outside normal policy limits or exclusions,” John Crist, a licensed insurance agent at Prestizia Insurance in Dallas told Realtor.com®.

If you already have earthquake or flood insurance, you can add a DIC policy for additional protection. Mudslides and landslides are typically bundled under a single DIC policy.

When it comes to preparing a home for landslide risk, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recommends several proactive steps. These include retaining native vegetation on slopes—which helps maintain the slope’s structure—and keeping debris away from hillside areas.

The USGS also recommends understanding how water flows around your home during storms, including runoff from gutters and driveways. Intense rainfall can channel water into vulnerable areas; if stormwater flows toward a slope, it can quickly saturate the soil, weakening the terrain and increasing the likelihood of a landslide.

But even the best-prepared homeowners can be caught off guard. That’s why experts urge residents to maintain an emergency kit and create—and practice—a household evacuation plan that includes pets.