In photos: Flooding in Western Washington state forces thousands to evacuate

NPR Staff | December 12, 2025

Neighbors watch as Gages Slough overflows and floods a street in Burlington, Wash., on Friday.

Western Washington state and Northwest Oregon could see more catastrophic flooding. The National Weather Service says flood watches and warnings remain in effect after days of heavy rains.

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According to KUOW, “tens of thousands of Washingtonians remain under evacuation advisories, including about 78,000 people in Skagit County’s flood plain.” Visit their live blog for more updates.

Here are images of the areas affected by the flooding:

National Guard members gather at the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department before assisting in evacuations as floodwaters rise in Burlington on Friday.
National Guard members gather at the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department before assisting in evacuations as floodwaters rise in Burlington on Friday. (Megan Farmer | KUOW)
Water from the Skagit River floods farms and homes near Lyman, Wash., on Thursday.
Water from the Skagit River floods farms and homes near Lyman, Wash., on Thursday. (Stephen Brashear | AP)
A golden retriever named Princess is brought to safety on a kayak by residents at a flooded apartment complex near the Skykomish River in Monroe, Wash., on Thursday.
A golden retriever named Princess is brought to safety on a kayak by residents at a flooded apartment complex near the Skykomish River in Monroe, Wash., on Thursday. (Megan Farmer | KUOW)
Dennis Reasbeck has lived in Skagit County for decades and he has never had to evacuate because of flooding, but now he is fortifying his house before leaving town on Thursday.
Dennis Reasbeck has lived in Skagit County for decades and he has never had to evacuate because of flooding, but now he is fortifying his house before leaving town on Thursday. (Mitch Borden | KNKX)
A park in Mount Vernon, Wash., floods as the Skagit River rises on Thursday.
A park in Mount Vernon, Wash., floods as the Skagit River rises on Thursday. (Mitch Borden | KNKX)
Jason Prescott puts filled sand bags into his vehicle in Mount Vernon, Wash., on Thursday.
Jason Prescott puts filled sand bags into his vehicle in Mount Vernon, Wash., on Thursday. (Megan Farmer/KUOW)
A person drives through flood waters from the Snohomish River in Snohomish, Wash., on Thursday. Tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders Thursday after days of heavy rain forced rivers to burst their banks.
A person drives through flood waters from the Snohomish River in Snohomish, Wash., on Thursday. Tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders Thursday after days of heavy rain forced rivers to burst their banks. (Jason Redmond | AFP via Getty Images)
Maery Schine, 11, is helped out of a rescue boat by rescue workers with the Chehalis Fire Department after evacuating with her father, Patric (second from left), following flooding in Chehalis, Wash., on Tuesday.
Maery Schine, 11, is helped out of a rescue boat by rescue workers with the Chehalis Fire Department after evacuating with her father, Patric (second from left), following flooding in Chehalis, Wash., on Tuesday. (Lindsey Wasson | AP)

 

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