Farms in Western Washington evacuate during record river flooding

Many rivers in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties flooded Tuesday due to heavy rain and melting snow from the mountains. Forecasters say the atmospheric river drenching the Pacific Northwest should start to ease on Wednesday.

Update - December 5, 2023 - 6:15 p.m.: The American Red Cross posted on social media Tuesday night it would open a shelter in Sedro-Woolley for people hoping to escape flood waters. The shelter at Hamilton First Baptist Church will be open for as long as it's needed, the organization said.

Skagit County officials declared an emergency Tuesday afternoon due to flooding in the area. "We encourage anyone living in low-lying, flood-prone areas to plan and prepare to evacuate if needed," the warning read. Communities include: Marblemount, Rockport, Thunderbird Lane, Concrete, Cape Horn, Birdsview, Hamilton, Cockerham, Lyman, and Day Creek.

Farms and businesses along the Stillaguamish River saw record flooding on Tuesday, with water reaching over 21 feet high.

At least eight other rivers, including the Skagit River near Concrete to the Snohomish and Tolt rivers close to Carnation, were above flood stage, according to national forecasters.

In Arlington, the Stillaguamish River set a new record of over 21 feet in the afternoon.

“We're kind of at that stage of grab what you can and get to higher ground,” said Jennifer Bjornson of Andrew's Hay, a farm that sells beef and vegetables. “We've moved our equipment so that our cows can be safe in the barn.”

The farm sits between the river and State Route 530 in the Stilly Valley.

Thankfully the river did not reach the road at Andrew’s, Bjornson said but, “our neighbors and farmers in Silvana are getting ready to evacuate and sandbagging and schlepping the water as fast as they can.”

Western Nursery Sales, just down the road from Andrew’s Hay, had to close up shop early when the Stillaguamish started to rise.

“We're actually pretty shocked by the waters about to be at our door,” said Jen, who works at the nursery. “It kind of happened pretty quickly.”

She said in 10 years, she’s never seen the river get as high as the business.

“We're at the point now I think the parking lot’s about full, so we're shutting down right now to be completely honest,” she said.

In southwestern Washington, the Coast Guard says it rescued five people from a flooded Columbia River near Rosburg. A video posted online shows a helicopter saving a man from the roof of a pickup truck surrounded by rushing water.

Kirby Cook with the National Weather Service in Seattle said soils are super-saturated right now, making landslide risk a concern.

Amtrak announced Tuesday it is suspending service between Seattle and Portland due to heavy rains and a landslide. Trains are expected to run again on Thursday.

In Seattle, a section of the Burke-Gilman Trail bike path near the Lake City neighborhood was blocked after a landslide. Seattle Parks said crews were assessing damage to the trail.

Forecasters say rain should start to slow down on Wednesday and rivers will begin to recede.

But another more wind-driven storm is forecast for Saturday.