LIVE UPDATES: 'Go Now' evacuations, flooding, road closures in western WA

SEATTLE - The second round of a one-two punch continues to batter the Puget Sound region, with heavy rain causing several local rivers to flood.

This live blog covered developments on Wednesday. For the most up-to-date coverage, please see Thursday’s live blog.

An atmospheric river brought more heavy rain and strong winds Tuesday night, causing some power outages, road closures, and flooding throughout the area. Several rivers in western Washington are expected to hit major flood stage, prompting several counties to declare emergencies. 

Keep reading for live weather updates for Wednesday, Dec. 10.

9 p.m.: Flash Flood Watch for Skagit River

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Skagit River due to the levees and dikes potentially failing below Sedro-Woolley to the mouth of the Skagit River.

The Flash Flood Watch is in effect through late Friday night, with extensive flooding of streets, homes and farmland possible.

7:30 p.m.: Evacuations expanded across Skagit County

Multiple cities across Skagit County are under Level 3 Evacuations (Go Now), for residents around Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley and Conway.

Gov. Bob Ferguson also advises upriver communities of Hamilton, Rockport, Marblemount and Concrete to evacuate to high ground.

Many rivers are expected to crest Wednesday night into Thursday morning, creating major flooding concerns across King, Skagit, Pierce and Snohomish counties,

High winds from the atmospheric river have knocked out power to over 30,000 homes across the region.

5:30 p.m.: Flood sirens in Sumas as town ordered to evacuate

A flood notice from the City of Sumas has instructed residents to evacuate "as soon as possible."

Officials have sounded the flood siren at City Hall, and say that flooding in Sumas is "imminent." Residents are urged to alert family and neighbors, dress appropriately, grab their emergency "go bag," shut off utility mains, and head to the nearest emergency shelter if they do not otherwise have a place to go.

The city provided a map of evacuation routes, but warn that these routes will be closed once the water reaches them.

4:51 p.m.: Gov. Ferguson says 100,000 face evacuations

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson gave clarification on earlier predictions that tens of thousands of people could be evacuated, per comments from a press conference at Camp Murray on Wednesday afternoon.

"We anticipate potentially 100,000 Washingtonians facing evacuation orders. The situation is fluid and changing all the time," Ferguson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "We expect rivers to hit historic levels as early as 4 a.m. tomorrow, lasting into Friday morning."

Ferguson urges people to sign up for emergency alerts in their county, and keep their phone on tonight.

4:48 p.m.: Level 3 ‘Go Now’ evacuations issued for Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon Fire Department and Police Department issued level 3 evacuations, meaning "Go Now."

Officials say there is immediate danger in the area, and urge people to not return home until officials have determined it is safe.

Residents are asked to visit Mount Vernon's Flood page for more information and an updated evacuation map.

4:40 p.m.: Landslide closes Stevens Pass overnight

In addition to eastbound I-90, US 2 Stevens Pass is closed due to a mudslide.

There is water, mud, and debris covering the roadway, prompting crews to shut down the Stevens Pass overnight between Index and Coles Corner (west of Leavenworth). There is no estimated time for reopening.

Additionally, US 97 Blewett Pass is closed between Ellensburg and Leavenworth. The highway is closed northbound at State Route 970, and southbound at milepost 177, about 12 miles south of US 2.

Drivers are asked to use alternate routes.

4:30 p.m.: Gov. Ferguson activates National Guard

Governor Bob Ferguson, having already declared a statewide emergency, has activated the National Guard to respond to flooding.

At least 100 National Guard service members are on standby, and 300 members will be available to assist on Thursday, Ferguson said.

Ferguson also asked Washingtonians to listen carefully for alerts from counties and emergency management departments as flooding persists throughout the region.

3:24 p.m.: Roads flooding in Sumner

Viewer photos show Houston Road submerged under rising floodwaters in Sumner.

3:16 p.m.: Mudslides on I-90 leave cars stranded, out of gas

Trooper Rick Johnson with Washington State Patrol warns eastbound I-90 is currently closed due to a mudslide near SR-18, the Snoqualmie Parkway.

Johnson says six cars have already run out of gas waiting in the traffic backup.

Officials say no injuries have been reported, and there is no estimated time for the freeway to reopen.

3:13 p.m.: ‘Go Now’ evacuations ordered for communities in Skagit County

Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders have been issued for communities in Skagit County, particularly in Lyman and Hamilton. An alert from Skagit County notes that "historic flooding is occurring on the Skagit and Sauk Rivers."

Anyone in the area is ordered to evacuate immediately and to not wait.

Officials warn that roads may be closed due to high water, and evacuees are urged to plan their route to get to high ground away from the river.

2:14 p.m.: Flooding dams up Tyee Marina

Floodwaters have jammed up Tyee Marina in Tacoma, leaving trees and debris everywhere. Viewer Courtney Wimer says she's grateful her boat seems to be okay.

2:05 p.m.: Flooding across the road in Kent

Video from viewer Norm Smith shows floodwaters spilling over the road in the Kent Valley, near 227th St and West Valley Rd, at Carpinito Brothers Farm.

This is roughly the same area shown earlier in the live blog, where neighbors were boxed in by flooding that put their main street underwater.

1:43 p.m.: WA Gov. Bob Ferguson declares statewide emergency

"I just signed a statewide emergency declaration in response to the intense flooding in our state this week," said Ferguson at a Wednesday press conference at Camp Murray, near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "This allows us to seek federal funds to cover the cost of this response, which we anticipate will be significant, and also gives us the flexibility we need to respond quickly to keep Washingtonians safe in a fast-moving situation."

1:24 p.m.: WA state leaders discuss widespread flooding, potential evacuations

Gov. Ferguson and officials with the Washington State Military held a press conference at Camp Murray.

Ferguson announced a statewide emergency declaration due to intense flooding in western Washington. The state intends to seek federal funds to cover the costs of emergency work, which Ferguson anticipates "will be significant."

Residents are urged to follow all alerts and instructions from local emergency management departments.

Robert Ezelle, Director of the State Military's Emergency Management Division, warned that this severe weather event has the potential to extend into next week, as forecasts indicate rain will continue through the weekend.

"The 1990 [flood] record is probably going to be exceeded, by about four feet upriver and in the Mount Vernon-Arlington area, by at least a foot. So what that means is, and what we're hearing from the county, is they're prepared to evacuate 75,000 people who are living in the low-lying areas," said Ezelle. "They've already put out alerting orders to evacuate. And we could anticipate, ‘Go Now’ orders coming as early as this evening."

Ezelle also warned that Mount Vernon's flood wall along the Skagit River could fail.

"We anticipate levies not just on the river, but on many others, being overtopped. And, we're hearing reports that the flood wall down in [Mount Vernon] could be overtopped. But it's not just the Skagit River that we're concerned about," said Ezelle.

Editor's note: FOX 13 Seattle spoke with a spokesperson for the City of Arlington, who clarified that the city does not have a flood wall. They suspect Ezelle meant the flood wall in Mount Vernon and misspoke, as both cities are on the Skagit River.

11:22 a.m.: Cedar River reaches Flood Phase 4

Officials say the Cedar River has reached flood phase 4, meaning extreme flooding may occur. The public is warned that fast and deep flows can create dangerous conditions throughout the floodplain.

11:19 a.m.: Flooding blocks school buses in Kent, Auburn neighborhood

A FOX 13 viewer sent in a video showing flooding along 277th in the Kent/Auburn area across from Carpinitos Farm. 

"Only one way into our neighborhood and we cannot get in or out," said Abby Freeman Cummings. "All the kids in our neighborhood missed school today because the buses couldn't get past the standing water."

10:50 a.m.: Puyallup River flowing rapidly in western WA

10:30 a.m.: Flooding shuts down SR-906 near Snoqualmie, WA

The Washington State Patrol is asking the public to stay away from State Route 906 as crews work to repair roadway damage caused by flooding.

10:32 a.m.: CORRECTED: Seattle crews respond to mudslide at Golden Gardens

The Seattle Fire Department initially responded to the 8000 block of Seaview Avenue Northwest for reports of a mudslide that impacted a trail at Golden Gardens.

In an update, the SFD announced there wasn't a mudslide. Crews rescued a man who reportedly slid down the trail next to the dog park. He is in stable condition.

This is a developing update. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available.

10:24 a.m.: Skagit River near Mt. Vernon, WA could break flood level records

"The Skagit River has some Level 2 evacuation notices going out. If you’re up in Skagit County, you probably got that alert on your phone, and that means be ready to go," said Chief Meteorologist Brian MacMillan. "The Skagit River near Mount Vernon is currently forecast to crest above the all-time record set in 1990 — that was a devastating flood up there — and that is why folks along the Skagit River should be prepared to leave their homes or businesses at a moment’s notice in the next 24 hours as it crests."

9:58 a.m.: Parts of Orting under Level 3 ‘Go Now’ evacuation order 

Some residents in Orting have been placed under a Level 3 "Go Now' evacuation order.

The city of Orting posted this message on their Facebook page: Level 3 "Go Now" order is in place for Phase 1 of Village Green (west of Headly Ave NW). There is significant threat to life or property. Messaging will be sent to those homes as well as teams going door-to-door to ensure communication. An evacuation center is opening up at the Multi-Purpose Center (Library) in downtown Orting, if you need a place to stay warm, dry, and fed. 

Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Carly Cappetto also told Good Day Seattle that the High Cedars neighborhood is also affected in this evacuation order. 

Viewer photos of flooding across western Washington

Email photos to FOX13Tips@fox.com.

8:35 a.m.: Sedro-Woolley schools announce late start Wednesday, Dec. 10

"This morning we’re meeting with Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, the City of Sedro-Woolley, and our district leadership team to continue planning for the historic flood event expected Thursday into Friday. We’ll share updates with families later today."

For an updated school closures list, click here.

8:09 a.m.: Puyallup River flooding in Orting, WA

8:00 a.m.: Concrete School District closed due to flooding, evacuation orders

On Wednesday, the Concrete School District announced it would be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11 due to flooding and evacuation orders.

For an updated school closures list, click here.

7:45 a.m.: Road closures in Auburn, WA due to Green River flooding

"Ongoing heavy rainfall and rising river levels have led to several road closures in and around Auburn," the City of Auburn announced. "We want to make you aware of the current impacts so you can plan extra time and use alternate routes."

Current road closures:

• Green River Road Southeast is closed between 100th Avenue Southeast and the Auburn city limits due to flooding. There is no vehicle access to the Auburn Golf Course. There's no estimated time of reopening.
• D Street Northeast is closed in multiple segments due to standing water on the road: Between 49th Street Northeast and South 277th Street, and between Auburn Way North and I Street Northeast.
• South 277 the Street is closed in both directions between Auburn Way North and 108the Avenue Southeast in Kent due to flooding.

7:41 a.m.: WSDOT crews work throughout the night to clear roadways 

"Our crews worked hard overnight to keep roadways clear, removing downed trees and manning water pumps on SR 18.," announced WSDOT on social media.

Crews are reminding drivers to obey traffic signs and to not drive through flooded roadways.

7:08 a.m.: Snoqualmie River in Carnation now at Major Flood Stage

Officials say the Snoqualmie River has reached flood phase 4. Major flooding is expected, and some areas may see deep, possibly fast-moving floodwaters, with a risk of flooding in low-lying structures.

6:38 a.m.: Level 2 ‘Get Ready’ Evacuation in parts of Skagit County

Skagit County officials are warning anyone living within the 100-year flood plain is at a Level 2: Get Ready evacuation. 

Officials are urging people to prepare for an evacuation order within the next 24 hours and to make sure to have their "Go! Kit" ready and in their car. 

Here's a list of items to consider in a kit: 

• Nonperishable food (Enough for several days for you, your family, and pets)

• Eating utensils, can opener

• Water (Enough for several days for you, your family, and pets)

• First Aid kit, including prescription medications

• Hygiene items

• Cash

• Extra clothes and sturdy shoes

• Flashlight and whistle

• Pet Supplies

• Matches or a lighter

• Phone charger

• Personal documents

• Battery powered weather radio

• Important contact numbers

6:10 a.m.: Rivers on the rise again

National Weather Service Seattle is warning that rivers across western Washington are on the rise again on Wednesday morning. 

5:30 a.m.: Wind advisory on SR 16

The Washington State Department of Transportation said there was a wind advisory for both directions of State Route 16 near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. 

5:20 a.m.: Multiple school districts delayed, closed

As of Wednesday morning, multiple school districts announced they would be delayed by at least two hours. 

For an updated list, click here. 

4:59 a.m.: Everett Animal Shelter evacuated 

The Everett Animal Shelter announced that it plans to move animals into foster care by the end of the day. 

Officials said the shelter is at risk of flooding due to rising levels in the Snohomish River.

Wednesday weather forecast

Heavy rain will increase river levels through Thursday and even early Friday. Several rivers could reach major flood stages and reach record heights, including the Skagit and Snohomish rivers.

A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday night, with wind gusts up to 40-45 mph. Downed trees and power outages are a possibility.

FOX 13 is also tracking street and coastal flooding, along with landslides and debris flows, as the soil is already loosened from Monday night's rainfall.

Flooding, mudslides, and road closures Tuesday

Western Washington saw major flooding across the area on Tuesday, despite getting a break in rain during the morning and afternoon.

The overnight storm resulted in swelled rivers, several road and school closures, water rescues and mudslides. The Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Green and White River flooded, extending water onto roadways and putting structures at risk.

Conditions are expected to worsen after another round of rain Tuesday night, causing potential record flooding into Wednesday.

Tuesday: Flooding in Centralia, WA

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