Historic rains and flooding trigger dramatic rescues in Washington state

When Eddie Wicks and his wife went to bed in their house next to the Snoqualmie River on a Washington state farm known for its sunflower mazes and Christmas trees, they weren’t too worried about the flooding heading their way.After 30 years living in the city of Duvall, northeast of Seattle, their family had plenty of experience with floods and always made it through largely unscathed.But as they moved their two donkeys to higher ground and their eight goats to their outdoor kitchen, the water began to rise much quicker than anything they’d experienced before.“It was hours, not days,” he said.“In four hours it had to come up 4 feet.”As the water engulfed their home Thursday afternoon, deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Office marine rescue dive unit were able to rescue them and their dog, taking them on a boat the half mile across their field, which had been transformed into a lake.They were among the thousands forced to evacuate as an unusually strong atmospheric river dumped a foot or more of rain in parts of western and central Washington over several days this week and swelled rivers, inundating communities and prompting dramatic rescues from rooftops and vehicles.The record floodwaters were expected to continue to slowly recede Saturday, but authorities warn that waters will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides.

There is also the threat of more rain forecast for Sunday.Still, no deaths have been reported.Authorities have yet to estimate the costs, but photos and videos show widespread damage, with entire communities or neighborhoods flooded around western and central Washington.Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues, debris and mudslides have closed highways, and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges.President Donald Trump has signed the state’s request for an emergency declaration, Washington Gov.Bob Ferguson said.Officials issued “go now” orders Wedn...