The authorities of Washington Face a new climate threat after destructive Floods that have hit the region in recent days: The United States National Weather Service (NWS) warned of another storm system atmospheric river will arrive at the end of the month, which could worsen the situation in communities that have not yet recovered from recent damage. The saturated terrain and overflowing rivers increase the risk of new landslides and make it difficult for thousands of evacuees to return, according to the NWS.
The forecast of a new episode of raining intensive occurs while Emergency equipment and residents are trying to restore normalcy after a week in which more than 18.9 billion cubic meters of water fell on the state, according to Newsweek.
Gen. Gent Welsh, chief of the Washington National Guard, warned Friday that “it will take days, in some cases weeks, for rivers to reach safe levels for everyone to return.” Welsh expressed solidarity with those displaced and stressed that the recovery will be lengthy.
At least four major rivers, including the SkagitHe SnohomishHe cedar and the Snoqualmiereached or near record levels, according to the NWS. The Cedar River in Renton topped 18 feet overnight, causing severe flooding, including at the local airport.
The Snoqualmie near Carnation was over 60 feet high and caused flooding in Falls City, Carnation and Duvall. The Snohomish in the city of the same name reached a height of 10.4 meters, putting extreme pressure on the levees and increasing the risk of structural damage.
Mountainous areas, for example near the Mount Rainier and Auburn, received more than 50 centimeters of rain in a single week, the agency said Associated Press. The Governor of Washington, Bob Fergusondeclared a state of emergency and described the situation as unprecedented: “Rivers like the Skagit and the Cedar are literally experiencing historic levels of flooding. This is something that the people of Washington have never faced before,” he said at a news conference Friday.
In Skagit County is the city Burlington – located about 110 kilometers north of Seattle – was the subject of a sudden evacuation order that had about an impact A thousand people early Friday morning, loud ABC News and the local subsidiary KOMO. The National Guard and local teams went door-to-door to help residents.
In Whatcom and other areas, the Coast Guard and emergency services conducted dozens of boat and helicopter rescues, rescuing people trapped in flooded homes, treetops and vehicles. In Sumas, near the border with Canada, the Coast Guard rescued residents who had to seek refuge in the attic of their home.
The impact on infrastructure was severe. More than 20 streetsincluding almost 80 kilometers from US-2 Highway between Skykomish and Leavenworth remain closed due to spills, slides and damage Seattle Times. Several communities are affected by power and water outages, and the city of Leavenworth has canceled its main Christmas festival. Ski areas in the region remain closed or inaccessible.
The President Donald Trump has issued a federal emergency declaration for the state, providing resources and funding for response and recovery, including support from FEMA that will cover this 75% of eligible costs since the storm began, loud Newsweek. Organizations like that American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and local agencies are distributing supplies, shelter and food to those displaced.
Authorities warn that the danger remains. The NWS anticipates that the next atmospheric river system, although less intense, could result in new flooding due to soil saturation and high river flow. Additionally, further storms are expected throughout the week, leaving the risk of flooding and landslides.
The meteorologist Ryan Maue explained The Associated Press: that “the Rivers atmospheric They are constantly recharging… The amount of rain in a three week period could be 20 to 30 inches. It’s pretty extreme. I wouldn’t want to live there. Not now.”
Cleanup and recovery efforts are progressing slowly, and thousands of evacuees have been unable to return to their homes for several days or weeks. State and federal authorities continue to coordinate emergency response, monitor river levels and prepare for new measures events climatic.
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