SNOHOMISH & SKAGIT COUNTIES, WA. — Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of statewide fire service resources Wednesday afternoon as flooding along multiple rivers began threatening homes, hospitals, jails and adult living facilities in Snohomish and Skagit counties.
According to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, weeklong heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding, prompting Level 3 evacuations — meaning residents should leave immediately — in several communities. Local fire leaders from Snohomish County Fire Districts 5 and 26, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue, and Skagit County Fire District 14 requested state assistance earlier in the day.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray activated to Level 1 to coordinate the response, its highest activation level. Mobilization specialists have ordered four swift-water rescue teams to assist with evacuations and emergency operations. State Fire Marshal personnel are coordinating resource deployment remotely.
Under Washington’s Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, state officials can quickly assemble and deploy personnel, equipment and support when local capacities are exceeded. The plan is commonly activated during major wildfires but also applies to any disaster that strains local response agencies, including flooding.
State officials said they will continue coordinating with local responders as the situation develops.
More information on the mobilization plan is available through the Washington State Patrol.
