Heavy rain relents in Western Washington, but floodwater, damage remains along swollen rivers

Western Washington is recovering from the last two days of record-breaking rainfall, and the threat to homes and businesses lingers as floodwaters make their way down rivers and streams.

The heavy rains, up to 8 inches in 24 hours in some areas, are causing moderate to major flooding around the region.

National Weather Service forecaster Kirby Cook said Tuesday that every county that had a river running off of the Cascades had at least one or two points, if not more, above flood stage.

No deaths have been reported so far in Washington state, but officials in Oregon are investigating two deaths in the Portland area.

As of Wednesday morning, flood warnings remained in effect for portions of the Skokomish, Skagit, Snohomish, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers. In addition, rivers in eight counties in Western Washington remain under a flood watch.

Crews rescued four people and a dog trapped by rising floodwaters Tuesday at Al Borlin Park in Monroe. Meanwhile, in southwest Washington, the Coast Guard rescued five people near Rosburg, including one man who had to be airlifted from the top of his submerged truck.

Jennifer Bjornson works at Andrew's Hay near Arlington on the Stillaguamish River, which reached record flood levels Tuesday.

“Now it'll be watching how much of our topsoil gets washed away versus how much of this river silt will actually benefit from being deposited into our fields,” Bjornson said. “It's kind of a win-lose, lose-win situation here.”

In Skagit County, many roads that were flooded yesterday reopened, allowing people to return to their homes.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at Hamilton First Baptist Church Tuesday night for people to escape the flooding Skagit River.

On Wednesday, at least 17 RVs and other cars were parked in the church’s small parking lot.

Carol Janssens from the Red Cross said most people at the church live in their vehicles close to the banks of the Skagit River in Hamilton, and this is not their first time staying at the church.

“So every time it floods they automatically move their RVs to this church until the water goes down and then once they can go back home they just moved their RVs back home,” she said.

The shelter offers three meals a day and will open for as long as people need it, Janssens said.

Despite Wednesday’s break in the rain, people throughout Western Washington are bracing for more potential flooding.

Persistent warm temperatures mean more snow melt in the mountains, and more rain is in the forecast for this week.