23 Western WA rivers are flooded — King, Snohomish Counties issue emergency proclamations

Twenty-three rivers are currently flooding throughout western Washington as an atmospheric river drenches the region.

In King County, Executive Girmay Zahilay issued an emergency proclamation in preparation for the impact of severe storms and river flooding throughout the county. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers also issued an emergency proclamation, as the city could set new flood records by Thursday.

“Flooding events like this have serious impacts on our communities, particularly our rural areas, and the safety of residents is our highest priority as we proactively declare a state of emergency and put our planning and preparation to work,” Somers stated via a news release. “We have a very capable emergency management team and public safety agencies, and I want to thank them for their work to protect residents and property. I urge everyone to stay informed and to stay away from floodwaters and off water-covered roadways.”

Flood watch issued for 11 counties in WA

In western Washington, flood watch remains in effect for 11 counties, including King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Thurston, Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, and Lewis.

#atmosphericriver #Snoqualmie River near #FallCity Latest: level going down… People here haven’t seen Hwy 202 flooded and closed in years! More on @KIRONewsradio pic.twitter.com/QmpoWuesDH

— Luke Duecy (@LukeKIRO) December 9, 2025

Hwy into #FallCity closed… Snoqualmie River over the road. Get the latest on ⁦@KIRONewsradio⁩ pic.twitter.com/2WxJG6cLHU

— Luke Duecy (@LukeKIRO) December 9, 2025

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office released photos of flooding on Mann Road in the Sultan/Gold Bar area, which can be viewed here.

More than 10 rivers reach Flood Phase 4

The Snoqualmie River reached Flood Phase 4 at 5 a.m. Tuesday, King County reported.

“The river will rise above flood stage early this morning to 58.5 feet late this afternoon. It will then fall late tomorrow morning,” weather officials stated. “It will rise to 59.3 feet Thursday afternoon. It will then fall again but remain above flood stage.”

Phase 4 means residential areas could experience “dangerously high velocities and flooding of homes,” officials wrote. Additional roads that could overtop are Moon Valley Road S.E., S.E. David Powell Road, most of Neal Road S.E., SR 202 upstream of Fall City, W. River Road, S.E. 19th Way, portions of Fall City-Carnation Road S.E. (SR 203), N.E. 16th Street, N.E. 100th Street, N.E. 124th Street, N.E. 138th Street, N.E. Woodinville-Duvall Road, and 288th Ave N.E.

“The Snoqualmie River will cause major flooding from the town of Snoqualmie downstream through Fall City, inundating most of the farmland in the flood plain, some residential areas, and many roads,” officials stated.

The Skykomish River has also reached Flood Phase 4, with possible riverbank erosion and flood debris. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the river remains in Flood Phase 4.

“Flood waters will inundate portions of downtown Sultan,” officials stated. “Flooding will occur all along the river, including headwaters, tributaries, and other streams within and near the Skykomish River Basin.”

The Carbon River, the Cowlitz River, the Grays River, the Green River, the Naselle River, the Nisqually River, the Puyallup River in Orting, the Skagit River, the Snohomish River, the Tolt River, and the White River are all at Phase 4 flooding levels.

“At 33.0 feet, the Snohomish River will cause severe near-record flooding,” officials stated. “Flood waters will likely overtop levees with major levee damage possible.”

Several western WA rivers flooding

The Chehalis River, the Naches River, the Newaukum River, the Skokomish River, the Skookumchuck River, South Prairie Creek, the Stillaguamish River, the Willapa River, and the Yakima River are all at Phase 3 flooding.

The Deschutes River and Satsop River are currently at Phase 2 flooding.

Meanwhile, the Entiat River, the Stehekin River, and the Wenatchee River are all on flood watch.

Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.