Overview
Historic rainfalltoric" class="inline-tag-link">Historic rainfall triggered major flooding in Washington stateshington" class="inline-tag-link">Washington state, forcing an entire city to evacuate as rivers hit record levels on December 13-14, 2025. ABC's Trevor Ault reported homes swept away, with National Guard members conducting door-to-door evacuations and helicopter rescues.[1]
Key Developments
- December 13 evening: Floodwaters rose to rooftops; two helicopters hoisted four people from one attic in Washington state.
- Trevor Ault reported: “They're just struggling to get in the basket. Someone think they're probably scared.”
- National Guard went door-to-door helping residents flee the flood zone.
- Incident tied to historic rainfall forcing full city evacuation.
Analysis
| Factor | Current Status | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | Homes destroyed, evacuations statewide | Insurance claims surge; federal aid likely |
| Political | State-federal response via National Guard | Highlights climate vulnerability |
| Social | Families rescued from attics | Community trauma; long-term displacement |
Expert Reactions
Trevor Ault, ABC News on-scene: Described dramatic chopper rescues amid rising waters up to the roof, noting residents' fear as they awaited baskets.[1]
What's Next
Flood emergency ongoing into Sunday, December 14, 2025; monitor local alerts for re-entry timelines.