In brief
Pacfic Northwest residents are bracing for another barrage of heavy rain after a storm wreaked havoc on Tuesday. The storm caused significant river surges and road closures while emergency officials conducted rescues. The National Weather Service anticipates more storms heading into the week, with specific warnings for potential flooding in vulnerable areas. Authorities have issued safety alerts as communities prepare for worsening conditions.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Pacific Northwest residents braced for another round of heavy rain Wednesday after a powerful storm clobbered the region the day before, swelling rivers, closing roads, and prompting high water rescues. The first of a series of damaging storms this week caused power outages, flooding, and school closures in parts of Oregon and Washington on Tuesday. Drivers had to navigate debris slides and water that closed roads and submerged vehicles. Fire officials northeast of Seattle reported multiple rescues as crews used inflatable kayaks to help those stranded in their cars, with one individual requiring transport to safety after being trapped by rising waters. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson shared on social media that the state’s Emergency Operations Center had ramped up its activation level due to the inclement weather. Forecasters, however, cautioned that the worst may still be yet to come, as major rivers are expected to crest later this week. For instance, the Skagit River near Concrete, forecasted to rise more than 15 feet (4.6 meters) above major flooding levels by Thursday, indicates a potential record-breaking event, according to the National Water Prediction Service. Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Seattle office, described the atmospheric river soaking the region as “a jet stream of moisture” stretching across the Pacific Ocean. Several days of heavy rainfall and more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow in the northern Rockies for northwestern Wyoming are expected. Flood watches remain in effect, with scattered flash flooding likely across coastal areas and into the Cascade Mountains through midweek. During the storm, firefighters conducted multiple rescues involving individuals who attempted to drive on flooded roads along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Portland. Among those rescued was a family of six from their submerged home in Chehalis, with emergency responders emphasizing that no injuries were reported among individuals in distress. Additionally, local authorities are proactively warning residents of impending floods, evacuating certain neighborhoods, and reinforcing flood control measures in at-risk areas. As another storm system is anticipated to roll into the region by Sunday, officials have issued warnings concerning increased risks for car crashes due to hydroplaning conditions, stressing the essential need for travel caution.
