Waters from a rising and muddy Issaquah Creek flood the parking lot under an evacuated apartment building near downtown Issaquah, Washington on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
Washington state is under a state of emergency from a barrage of torrential rain that's sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused mudslides to close highways and trapped people in floodwaters. The governor says flooding could reach historic levels. Officials say 78,000 people live in the floodplain north of Seattle that has been ordered to evacuate. The weather has already prompted rescues and road closures. Another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday.