Residents packed up and prepared to flee rising rivers in western Washington state Wednesday as a new wave of heavy rain swept into a region still reeling from a storm that triggered rescues and road closures a day earlier.

In the Pacific Northwest, an atmospheric river was swelling rivers toward record levels, with major flooding expected in some areas including the Skagit River, a major agricultural valley north of Seattle. Dozens of vehicles were backed up at a sandbag-filling station in the town of Mount Vernon as authorities warned residents within the river’s floodplain to be ready to evacuate.

“We’re preparing for what increasingly appears to be a worst-case scenario here,” Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan said.

In the Mount Rainier foothills southeast of Seattle, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies rescued people at an RV park in Orting, including helping one man in a Santa hat wade through waist-deep water. Part of the town was ordered to evacuate over concerns about the Puyallup River’s extremely high levels and upstream levees.

A landslide blocked part of Interstate 90 east of Seattle, with photos from Eastside Fire & Rescue showing vehicles trapped by tree trunks, branches, mud and standing water, including a car rammed into the metal barrier on the side of the road.

Officials also closed a mountainous section of U.S. 2 due to rocks, trees and mud. The state transportation department said there were no detours available and no estimated time for reopening.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency Wednesday. “Lives will be at stake in the coming days,” he said.

Skagit County officials were preparing to evacuate 75,000 people, said Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Military Department’s emergency management division.

Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, said hundreds of Guard members will be sent to help communities.

Flooding rivers could break records

The Skagit River is expected to crest at roughly 47 feet (14.3 meters) in the mountain town of Concrete early Thursday, and roughly 41 feet (12 meters) in Mount Vernon early Friday.

Those are both “record-setting forecasts by several feet,” Skagit County officials said, adding that upriver communities should evacuate to high ground as soon as possible and that those living in the floodplain should be prepared to evacuate.

Flooding from the river long plagued Mount Vernon, the largest city in the county with some 35,000 residents. In decades past, residents would form sandbagging brigades when floods threatened, but businesses were often inundated. Flooding in 2003 displaced hundreds of people.

The city completed a floodwall in 2018 that helps protect the downtown. It passed a major test in 2021, when the river crested near record levels.

But the city is on high alert. The historic river levels expected Friday could top the wall, and some are concerned that older levees could fail.

“We’ve seen our floodwall in action and we know it works to a large degree,” said Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association. “But the concern about that kind of pressure on the levy and dike system is real. It could potentially be catastrophic.”

Gamson said many business owners were renting tables to place their inventory higher off the floor. Sheena Wilson, who owns a floral shop downtown, said she stacked sandbags by the doors and cleared items off the floor.

“If the water comes in above table height I’ve got bigger problems than my merchandise,” she said.

Jake Lambly, 45, added sandbags, tested water pumps and moved valuables to the top floor of the home he shares with his 19-year-old son. Lambly said he was concerned about damage in his neighborhood, where people “are just on the cusp of whether or not we can be homeowners.”

“This is my only asset,” he said from his front porch. “I got nothing else.”

RELATED STORY | Families sue Camp Mystic, claiming negligence over deadly flash floods in Texas

Cities respond to flooding

Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, described the atmospheric river soaking the region as “a jet stream of moisture” stretching across the Pacific Ocean “with the nozzle pushing right along the coast of Oregon and Washington.”

Authorities in Washington have knocked on doors to warn residents of imminent flooding in certain neighborhoods, and evacuated a mobile home park along the Snohomish River. The city of Snohomish issued an emergency proclamation, while workers in Auburn, south of Seattle, installed temporary flood control barriers along the White River.

Climate change has been linked to some intense rainfall. Scientists say that without specific study they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but in general it’s responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires.

Another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday, Rademacher said. “The pattern looks pretty unsettled going up to the holidays.”

As the calendar turns, Americans will begin a yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

In Washington, the National Archives is exhibiting The American Story, a showcase of rare copies of the country’s founding documents, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution and an 1823 stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence.

Years earlier, when North Carolina entrepreneur Vance Patterson visited the Archives and first saw the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights side by side, he was awestruck. Known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, the three documents lay out the U.S. system of governance and the individual rights of all Americans.

It was there in Washington, some 15 years ago, that Patterson realized more Americans might want to experience the majesty of these texts without having to travel to the nation’s capital.

Patterson, determined to bring this idea to life, launched the nonprofit Foundation Forward Incorporated. His organization designs and erects displays that showcase the Founding Fathers’ vision for our nation from 250 years ago. The exact words of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are etched on 30-kilogram (66 pound) bronze tablets and displayed under weatherproof glass.

Foundation Forward works with community leaders to choose installation sites in parks and town centers. So far, they have raised displays in about 80 communities together, including at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California; the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis; and in President Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Patterson says U.S. military veterans are often speechless when visiting a Foundation Forward site, commending the displays as reminders of the freedoms they fought to defend. To date, 17 states have these installations available to teachers as resources for their history lessons.

And many more generations of teachers and students will rely upon them. Each structure is designed to last up to 500 years.

SEATTLE – An atmospheric river is sending rounds of heavy rain into the Puget Sound area this week, causing river flooding across the region.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for western Washington, with six rivers expected to reach major flood stage. FOX 13 Seattle is also monitoring potential power outages and landslides.

Keep reading for live weather updates for Tuesday, Dec. 9.

6:54 a.m.: Road closures caused by flooding in Sumner, WA

FOX 13 Seattle crews are in Sumner, where multiple vehicles appear to be almost completely submerged in floodwaters. (FOX 13 Seattle)

According to the City of Sumner, Houston Road is closed in both directions at Valley Avenue due to flooding. The city is asking travelers to use an alternate route.

6:45 a.m.: State Route 202 in Fall City is closed

The Washington State Department of Transportation said SR 202 at 203 in Fall City is closed in both directions due to water on the roadway. 

Drivers should expect delays.

6:15 a.m.: Mudslide on eastbound I-90 at North Bend; highway reopens

Eastbound I-90 at North Bend was closed overnight due to a mudslide. 

Crews reopened the roadway after clearing the scene. 

6:10 a.m.: Several school delays, closures

Some Western Washington school districts will be closed or delayed on Tuesday, Dec. 9 because of weather. 

Here is a full list. 

5:00 a.m.: Flood Watch upgraded to Flood Warning in Skagit County, WA

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Skagit River near Concrete after upgrading the area from a Flood Watch late Monday. Forecasters expect the river to crest twice this week, reaching more than 32 feet Tuesday afternoon and nearly 37 feet on Thursday – both above major flood stage. Similar peaks are predicted in Mount Vernon on Wednesday and Friday. Skagit County emergency officials are monitoring conditions and closing affected roads, urging drivers to avoid flooded areas and obey barricades.

View Skagit County road closures here.

Seattle weather Tuesday forecast

After seeing some wet and windy weather Monday, the Puget Sound region got a break from the rain during the daylight hours Tuesday as steady rain dipped south into Oregon.

The next round of heavy persistent rain is expected to arrive after sunset Tuesday and continue through Wednesday.

The Skykomish River at Gold Bar and the Snoqualmie River at Carnation are forecast to crest Tuesday evening into early Wednesday morning at major flood stage.

Seattle weather forecast for Wednesday

Heavy rain will continue to fall on Wednesday during the daylight hours, and it will finally weaken Wednesday night. Breezy wind will still be present across the area.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Video shows last moments of teen killed in CHOP shooting

United States to play Australia in Seattle in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Seattle woman’s finger bitten off in unprovoked assault

WA leaders spar over state’s multi-billion-dollar budget deficit

Thurston County, WA prepares for possible flooding

Renton police look to solve child rape case linked to 2009 Seattle robbery

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.