Washington's Skagit River: A Test of Time and Tides

In the heart of western Washington, the Skagit River has been pushing its limits, testing the strength of levees that have stood since the last big flood in 2021. The river, swollen by relentless rain, reached a record height of nearly 38 feet, putting the town of Burlington and its 9, 200 residents on high alert. The entire town was evacuated as a precaution, with National Guard troops and sheriff's deputies helping residents to safety. The scene was chaotic, with some people being rescued in inflatable rafts as they navigated through muddy, floodwaters. The Skagit River flood plain, home to about 78, 000 people, was under a Level 3 evacuation notice. This means residents were urged to move to higher ground immediately. In total, around 100, 000 people across the state were affected by these evacuation notices. The National Weather Service warned of potential levee failures, which could lead to even more extensive flooding. If the levees give way, streets, homes, and farmland could be submerged under deep, brown water. The flooding wasn't just a local issue. It stretched from northern Oregon up through western Washington and into British Columbia. Roads and railways were washed out or closed, disrupting travel and transportation. The BNSF Railway, a major freight line, had several stretches shut down, affecting the movement of goods across the region. The heavy rains were caused by an atmospheric river storm, a weather phenomenon that brings vast amounts of moisture from the ocean and dumps it inland. This storm affected not just Washington but also parts of northern Idaho and western Montana. The question now is whether the levees will hold, or if more communities will be affected by the rising waters.