Prolonged heavy rainfall overwhelms rivers in parts of Washington and Oregon, prompting emergency evacuations and infrastructure disruptions.
Officials say thousands of people have been evacuated across the U.S. Pacific Northwest after sustained rainfall caused rivers to reach record or near-record flood stages.
State and local authorities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest said thousands of residents have been evacuated after several days of heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and inundate surrounding communities. Officials in Washington and Oregon reported rapidly rising water levels across multiple river systems.
Emergency management agencies said river gauges in several areas reached record or near-record crests, flooding homes, roads, and agricultural land. Evacuation orders were issued as a precautionary measure, officials said, citing concerns over continued rainfall and unstable ground conditions.
Meteorologists said the flooding was fueled by prolonged atmospheric moisture and already saturated soil, limiting absorption and accelerating runoff into rivers. Forecasts indicated that additional rainfall, even at lower intensity, could worsen flooding in affected areas.
As of the latest official updates, no fatalities have been confirmed. However, emergency responders reported conducting water rescues and assisting residents who were unable to leave flooded areas on their own. Damage assessments are ongoing, and officials cautioned that the full impact has not yet been determined.
Transportation officials said multiple highways and local roads were closed due to flooding and the risk of landslides. Utility providers also reported scattered power outages linked to storm conditions and rising waters.
Authorities urged residents to comply with evacuation orders, avoid driving through flooded areas, and rely on official emergency alerts for updates. Officials said river levels will continue to be closely monitored as weather conditions evolve.
