The Whatcom County floods of 2025 are part of a broader and unprecedented flooding event in Washington State, which has prompted widespread evacuations and significant concern for residents and officials alike. Driven by an atmospheric river, the flooding has impacted multiple counties, including Skagit, Snohomish, and Pierce, with the Skagit River forecast to reach record-breaking water levels.
The impact has been particularly severe in Skagit County, where Level 3, "GO NOW" evacuations have been issued for residents living within the 100-year floodplain. The Skagit River, which is nearing its crest at about 42 feet, has already exceeded levels considered safe for the area. This situation is historic, as the previous record set in 2021 was 38.93 feet in Concrete and 33.11 feet in Mount Vernon.
The flooding has led to the closure of major highways due to mudslides, and a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for the Skagit River. The National Weather Service has warned of "locally catastrophic" river flooding, with the Skagit and Snohomish rivers predicted to crest at or near record levels.
Emergency responders have been urging residents to take extra precautions and listen to evacuation orders. The governor has declared a statewide emergency in response to the historic flooding, and tens of thousands of people across Western Washington have been evacuated.
The situation remains dynamic, with the atmospheric river continuing to move southward, bringing more rain and exacerbating the flooding conditions. The historic flooding in the Pacific Northwest has left over 100,000 people facing evacuation, highlighting the severity of the event.
