Washington City Completely UNDER WATER: Terrifying Moment Entire Community of 10,000 Forced to Flee as Raging Rivers Top Historic Highs
- Residents of Burlington, north of Seattle, were ordered to evacuate IMMEDIATELY as waters overflowed homes and businesses
- National Guard troops went door-to-door to assist in the evacuation, with 1,000 residents forced to flee in the middle of the night
- The Skagit River crested overnight at a record-breaking 37 feet, with the river expected to be slow to recede and more rain forecast for Sunday
- Climate change linked to the increase in intense rainfall events, with scientists warning of more frequent and severe extreme weather events
The once-thriving city of Burlington, Washington, has been transformed into a disaster zone, with the entire community of 10,000 forced to flee as raging rivers topped historic highs. The unprecedented flooding, sparked by torrential rain that swelled rivers to record or near-record levels, has left residents reeling.
In a desperate bid to save lives, National Guard troops were deployed to go door-to-door, warning residents of the impending danger and assisting in the evacuation. “ALL RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF BURLINGTON SHOULD EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY,” Skagit County officials warned on social media, as waters began to overflow homes and businesses.
The Skagit River, which drains a wide swath of the rugged Cascade Range, crested overnight at a record-breaking 37 feet in the valley’s biggest city, Mount Vernon. The river’s fury has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with homes ripped from their foundations and roads washed away.
Mario Rincón, a resident of Burlington, was forced to flee his home with his family, including a week-old infant. “We’re going to be looking for a place to stay in the meantime, and it’s kind of difficult because my mom and my mother-in-law are visiting from Mexico until the end of December for the holidays,” he said, his voice laced with worry.
As the city struggles to come to terms with the scale of the disaster, climate experts warn that the extreme weather event is linked to climate change. “Without specific study, we cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but in general, it’s responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods, and wildfires,” said Jeff Michalski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
With more rain forecast for Sunday, residents are bracing themselves for the worst. “Depending on each river, it could prolong the flooding or renew the flooding,” Michalski warned. As the community begins the long and arduous task of rebuilding, one thing is certain – the city of Burlington will never be the same again.