Travel Warning: ‘Catastrophic’ Flooding After 18 Inches of Rain Forces 100,000 Evacuations Across U.S. States
Two U.S. states are experiencing catastrophic flooding as a result of a major "atmospheric river" storm, and it's affecting travel to those regions. Travelers should be aware that evacuations have mounted to 100,000, roads are closed, dangerous rescues have been made, and the Washington State governor is warning of the situation's unpredictability.
Travel and Tour World warned tourists that flooding and heavy rainfall in Washington and Oregon's Pacific Northwest is causing "an unprecedented travel disruption." The rain has hit "major tourism corridors," the site reported, adding that the severe weather "risks delaying flights, trains and road travel across the region through the end of the week and potentially into late December." According to NBC News, "Ten to 18 inches of rain have fallen over the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges" in Washington State.
According to Fox Weather, on December 12, "Historic river flooding has swamped the state of Washington, resulting in the closure of numerous of vital major highways, evacuation orders for thousands of Washingtonians and dozens of emergency rescues across the state."
The Flooding Was Described as 'Historic' & 'Unpredictable'
(Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
"The situation is truly historic. Rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are literally facing and experiencing historic levels of flooding. So this is something the people of the state of Washington have not faced before, this level of flooding," Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a press conference Friday, according to Fox Weather, which added that "dramatic rescues" have been made, although no deaths were reported.
The governor wrote on X that the storms were "unpredictable" with some people in Washington State requiring evacuation. "This situation is very unpredictable. We saw that last night, with a thousand people needing to evacuate Burlington. I encourage all Washingtonians to continue to stay alert and follow instructions from local officials. Keep yourself and our first responders safe," he wrote.
(1/3) US 2 Stevens Pass will remain closed through the weekend between Skykomish and Leavenworth (MP 50-99) due to water and debris over the road in multiple locations. There is no estimated time to reopen. US 97 Blewett and SR 28 through Quincy are alternate routes. @wspd6pio pic.twitter.com/B0pMR3CCJf
— WSDOT East (@WSDOT_East) December 13, 2025
Some roads were impassable. The state's Department of Transportation shared photos of a cracked and flooded road on X and wrote, "US 2 Stevens Pass will remain closed through the weekend between Skykomish and Leavenworth (MP 50-99) due to water and debris over the road in multiple locations. There is no estimated time to reopen. US 97 Blewett and SR 28 through Quincy are alternate route." The department has a real-time map tracking road closures.
According to Washington Emergency Management, "We’re relieved to see some evacuation notices lifted this morning — but many areas aren’t out of the woods yet. Catastrophic flooding along the Skagit and Snohomish Rivers will continue through today."
The State of Oregon Was Also Dealing With Flooding
In Oregon, flooding was still an issue as well on December 13. Coastal Oregon was also "hit hard by flooding" with some areas "almost completely submerged," according to KGW8-TV.
"Residents of the Pacific Northwest brace for possible mudslides and levee failures from floodwaters that are expected to be slow to recede," My Oregon Daily reported.
Thousands of people "were forced to evacuate," that site reported.
According to The Guardian, although the flooding is starting to recede, that doesn't mean the peril is over. "Authorities have warned that water levels will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. There is also the threat of more rain forecast for Sunday" December 14, that site reported, adding that 100,000 people were affected by evacuation orders.