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By Hollie Silverman and Anna Skinner
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Residents in a city in Washington state have been told to evacuate as record flooding inundates most of Western Washington on Wednesday.
Officials issued a "Go Now" evacuation order for those living in the areas of Williams Blvd NW, Mellinger Ave NW, and Stone St NW, in Orting, Pierce County, about 50 miles south of Seattle.
Other community members are on a "Be Set" notice and should "be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice," the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (CPFR) said in a post on X.
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The city sits between the Puyallup and Carbon rivers, which have both swelled as an atmospheric river continues to lash the region.
"River levels within Orting are extremely high," CPFR said on X, adding, "City of Orting levee improvements are working as designed. Our concern is the levees upstream on the Puyallup River in the south end of town."
What Is an Atmospheric River?
Atmospheric rivers are a "long, narrow region in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics," according to the NOAA.
The storms brought by atmospheric rivers are known for their heavy snow, heavy rain and strong winds. They more commonly affect the West Coast, particularly during the winter months. Although the storms can bring beneficial snow that helps supplement reservoirs throughout the summer dry season, they can also trigger deadly flooding, mudslides and widespread power outages.
The most recent storm hit the Pacific Northwest on Monday, with heavy rainfall expected to contribute to flooding through Thursday.
Washington Flood Map Shows High-Risk Areas
A flood map shared by the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS) reveals the Washington rivers currently in or expected to reach major flood stage, in which there is "extensive inundation of structures and roads, significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations."
As of Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. ET, 18 river points were expected to reach major flood stage, up from 14 on Tuesday. Of those, two were already in major flood stage: the Cowlitz River at Randle and the Skykomish River near Gold Bar.
National Water Center Director Ed Clark told Newsweek that rivers could remain flooded for days, and that this much flooding was considered a significant event.
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What Is the Skykomish River's Water Level?
As of the most recent update from the NWPS, the Skykomish River at the Gold Bar gauge was in major flood stage, with water levels at 21.92 feet. The record flood level is 24.5 feet, set in 2006. As of current forecasts, the Skykomish River at this location will come close but is not expected to reach record levels. Current river forecasts anticipate the river will crest at 24.2 feet in the early morning hours on Thursday.
What Is the Skagit River's Water Level?
The Skagit River is set to reach major flood stage at two of its gauges, according to NWPS. The river is already in minor flood stage at its Concrete gauge. However, river water levels are expected to surge steeply later today and into Thursday morning, cresting at 47.26 feet, shattering the previous record of 42.2 feet set in 2003.
As of Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET, the river's water levels were at 28.34 feet.
What Washington Cities are at Risk of Flooding?
NWS offices in Washington state have issued myriad flood-related weather alerts. Some of the cities facing flood impacts include Orting, Tacoma, Kent, Centralia, Everett, Bellingham, Yakima, Port Angeles, Ellensburg, and Wenatchee, among others.
Update 12/10/25, 2:52 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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