Warm Temperatures, Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc on Roads, Cities

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This article has been updated to reflect that as of Friday afternoon, President Trump has approved an Emergency Declaration for Washington, which releases aid to the following counties affected by the natural disaster: Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom and Yakima counties, along with tribal nations in those areas.

Mother Nature unleashed its fury in the form of warm weather and heavy rains this week. In a rare show of unity, the entire state delegation, from Dan Newhouse to Pramila Jayapal, appealed to the president on Thursday to approve an expedited Emergency Declaration.

The National Weather Service says parts of the west are experiencing record warmth. While drier weather is on the horizon, the effects of flooding will last much longer.

In Methow Valley, it felt like a balmy fall day with a high of 48 degrees on Thursday. Twisp is exected to have a high of 41 degrees on Friday. The average high for this time of year is a chilly 31 degrees.

WSDOT is reporting SR 20 closed in both directions 12 miles west of Winthrop due to water and debris over the roadway. Drivers are being detoured via local roads. There is no estimated time for re-opening that section of Highway 20.

Meanwhile, the other major highway to the west side of the state, US 2, is closed in both directions from milepost 50 near Skykomish to milepost 99 at Leavenworth due to rocks, trees, and mud over the roadway, according to WSDOT. There is no detour available and no estimated time for reopening.

Blewitt Pass and I-90 remain open for anyone travelling to the west side, but check WSDOT for latest updates.

There are no travel issues reported from Methow Valley to Wenatchee.

There are over 30 closures on Washington highways in 12 counties, but “this number could change three seconds after I push publish,” according to an official post by WSDOT on Facebook.

Evacuation Orders in Skagit Valley

Meanwhile, the entire city of Burlington in adjacent Skagit County is under an evacuation order. The National Guard is going door to door to notify residents and to help with evacuation.

A post on Twitter shows the National Guard helping fill 7,500 sandbags for relief operations in Skagit County.

Washington State Standard is reporting everyone in the Skagit Valley’s 100-year floodplain is under an evacuation order, including Burlington, Hamilton, La Conner, Lyman, parts of Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley.

The evacuation order affects 75,000 people, over half the county’s residents.

The federal train line- Amtrak Cascades- between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, is suspended through Friday, Dec. 12.

WSDOT is issuing the following warning: “Remember that “Road Closed” means, well, the road is closed. Don’t drive past those signs. You could endanger yourself or our crew who are working in these miserable conditions to clear water and debris to get things moving again.”

While drier weather is on the horizon this weekend, the damage is done across portions of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon.

In Naches, US 2 buckled under the weight of water.

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday.

As of Friday afternoon, President Trump has approved an Emergency Declaration for Washington, which releases aid to the following counties affected by the natural disaster: Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom and Yakima counties, along with tribal nations in those areas.