“WCSO’s rescue vehicle was able to reach many residents, and boats were used in places where the water was too deep. These efforts will continue throughout the night,” the release said. Hundreds of residents were moved to three “quickly established” shelters in the county, officials said.
In Skagit County, residents of Mount Vernon were advised Monday to evacuate ahead of an expected record flooding event on the Skagit River on Tuesday.
Parts of the city, about 60 miles north of Seattle, are protected by levees and residents in those neighborhoods are advised to keep an eye on emergency notifications.
“Evacuation is the best option for people to protect themselves in a severe flood event,” a news release from the city said.
Mount Vernon is under a flood warning until late Wednesday, CNN weather producer Robert Shackelford said. The area has received 2-4 inches of rain in the past 48 hours and could get another 4 inches over the next five days, Shackelford said.
Fourteen counties are covered by the proclamation, including Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties.
“This severe weather emergency order directs that the plans and procedures to the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented,” the release said.
In Clallam County, 10 people, including four children were rescued from their homes as flooding encroached on a residential area near Forks.
The evacuations were conducted with the assistance of Coast Guard helicopter crews, the agency said in a news release.
All known residents of the area were accounted for, officials said.
Officials in the city of Sumas said the flooding is slowing efforts to restore power.
“We are so thankful for all of the dispatchers, first responders, city staff and volunteers that worked tirelessly to help our residents today … Tomorrow morning we will be continuing to try and gain access to our isolated citizens and offer help and support as we can,” the post said.
CNN’s Robert Shackelford and Jenn Selva contributed to this report.
