Key Takeaways
- Historic floods have hit Western Washington, stranding families and damaging homes
- The City of Burlington, with nearly 10,000 residents, was initially issued a city-wide evacuation due to flooding from the Gages Slough
- The evacuation was later rescinded to a more confined area of the city, but not before causing significant disruption and damage
- The cause of the flooding is not yet clear, although Senator Maria Cantwell stated that water went over the levees
- First responders are dealing with stranded cars and responding to water rescue calls, including one from a young woman stuck in overflow from the Skagit River
Introduction to the Flooding
The City of Burlington in Skagit County, Washington, has been hit by historic floods, leaving residents stranded and homes damaged. Monica Mendez, a resident of the area, recalls the early morning wake-up call when her son told her that water was rushing in. She stands on her back deck, looking out at the feet of water in her backyard, and remembers the water coming in so fast that everything was floating. Mendez has lived next to the Gages Slough for 15 years and never had a problem, until now. The sudden and unexpected flooding has caused significant disruption to the community.
The Evacuation and Response
The Burlington Police Department and Skagit County Emergency Management issued a city-wide evacuation in the morning, after initial reports that the Slough, part of the Skagit River watershed, had jumped its banks. The City has nearly 10,000 residents, and the evacuation was a significant response to the flooding. However, by mid-morning, the evacuation was rescinded to a more confined, yet densely residential part of the city. First responders were also dealing with cars stranded on roadways, including Highway 20 between Sedro Woolley and Burlington. The response to the flooding has been swift, with water rescuers responding to calls from stranded residents, including a young woman who said she was stuck in overflow from the Skagit River.
The Cause of the Flooding
The cause of the flooding is not yet clear, although Senator Maria Cantwell stated in an afternoon press conference that water went over the levees. The County’s Emergency Management department did not return a call or email, and Skagit County did not say specifically what led to the flooding. The sudden and unexpected nature of the flooding has raised questions about the cause and the response to the disaster. Mendez, who has lived in the area for 15 years, said that she’s never had a problem with flooding before, and the sudden onset of the water has left her wondering what happened.
The Aftermath and Cleanup
The cleanup and recovery efforts are likely to be lengthy and challenging. Mendez said that she’s not sure how or when any of the water will be cleaned up, and she thinks it’s going to take days or maybe weeks. The flooding has caused significant damage to homes and properties, and the community will need to come together to support those affected. The City of Burlington and Skagit County will need to work together to respond to the disaster and provide support to residents. The floods have also raised questions about the infrastructure and emergency response systems in place, and it’s likely that there will be an investigation into the cause of the flooding and the response to the disaster.
The Impact on the Community
The floods have had a significant impact on the community, with families stranded and homes damaged. The evacuation and response efforts have been challenging, and the community will need to come together to support those affected. The floods have also raised questions about the vulnerability of the area to flooding and the need for better infrastructure and emergency response systems. The City of Burlington and Skagit County will need to work together to respond to the disaster and provide support to residents. The community will need to be resilient and come together to rebuild and recover from the floods. The historic floods have been a significant challenge for the community, but with the right support and response, it’s possible to recover and rebuild.