North Sound flooding: Water receding in some areas, though residents aren't out of the woods yet

Dozens unable to return home due to flooding in Hamilton

Water levels are slowly receding in Hamilton, after flooding from the Skagit River overwhelmed the small town. Families are still feeling the impacts from the recent storms, unable to even get back home.

Gov. Jay Inslee declared a severe weather state of emergency for several counties after heavy rainfall caused floods and mudslides, and closed roadways.

Thousands of customers still remain without power in Western Washington. At one point on Monday, 158,0000 customers were in the dark.

Inslee declared a severe weather emergency for 14 counties: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties.

Skagit County officials compared the flood to severe flooding in 2009, when the Skagit and Samish rivers overflowed and caused damage to homes, farms and infrastructure.

>>Get the FOX 13 Weather App

Skagit River cresting at 'major' flood stage, National Weather Service says

The Skagit River crested Tuesday morning and will slowly recede in the coming days, according to FOX 13 Meteorologist Brian MacMillan.

On Tuesday morning the Skagit River crested. FOX 13 Morning News Meteorologist Brian MacMillan said the river crested at 36.43 feet on Tuesaday, which was a foot below the all-time record.

A flash flood watch was issued for areas around Riverbend Road in Mount Vernon due to the potential for a levee failure. Evacuations were in place for that area but were later lifted.

Just south of the Canadian border in Sumas, Washington, officials said city hall was flooded and saying the flooding event was looking like one not seen since 1990."At this point in time there is no reasonably safe way to drive to Bellingham without putting yourself or others at risk. Please do not drive through standing or rushing water," the city’s police department said via Twitter.

Emergency officials warned that people should expect to see water in low-lying roadways and should turn around rather than drive through water on the road. That water can be moving swiftly and be deeper than it seems, posing a serious risk to people in vehicles.

Water is starting to recede in several areas, but residents are still asked to use caution on the roads and avoid flooded streets.

Live updates

WATCH LIVE: FOX 13 News

Below we have weather watches and warnings, power outages, evacuations, road closures, schools closures and delays, and more as Washington state sees historic flooding:

Power outages

Thousands of people throughout Western Washington remain in the dark.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, here were the latest numbers:

Puget Sound Energy: 16,018 customers

Snohomish County PUD: 2,488 customers

Road conditions

Several roads throughout the region were closed due to flooding, mudslides and fallen trees over the roadway. Drivers are advised to take alternate routes.