State, federal and local officials outline response after historic Washington flooding; federal emergency declaration activated

Governor Bob Kerstin and federal, state and local officials met at Tukwila City Hall to outline response efforts after widespread, historic flooding across parts of Washington and to explain what a recently signed federal emergency declaration does and does not provide.

The declaration "helps us get through the short term, but there will be a separate conversation," the governor said, urging residents to follow evacuation orders and warning that the declaration does not guarantee long-term federal money. He described rivers including the Skagit and Cedar reaching "historic" flood levels and thanked first responders for dramatic rescues.

Why it matters: the federal emergency declaration authorizes federal teams to assist with response tasks such as clearing roads, evacuations and damage assessments, and it can unlock short-term resources for local governments. Officials stressed that a separate disaster declaration would be required later to provide direct individual assistance.

Senator Maria Cantwell, who supported the federal request from the state delegation, urged Washingtonians to heed forecasts and evacuation notices, saying, "When they say it's going to be catastrophic, Washingtonians, please heed them," and noting the economic and transportation impacts from closed crossings such as Sumas and major highway disruptions.

King County Executive Gurmai Zahilay described rapid local action after issuing an emergency proclamation on Dec. 8 and an additional emergency order to clear debris, close unsafe roads and accelerate repairs. She detailed a sinkhole on the Segale Levee along the Green River that county crews, coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and city partners, filled overnight to stabilize the levee.

State emergency management director Robert Ezell summarized the meteorological pattern: "We've had 2 waves of flooding," he said, explaining that many rivers have crested and that more river rises are possible with upcoming weather. Ezell and other officials said the state emergency operations center is fully activated and working with FEMA, the Army Corps and voluntary agencies.

Transportation impacts: Brian Nielsen of WSDOT said crews are inspecting and closing highways as conditions change; the agency reported roughly 20 state highway closures across 11 of the state's 39 counties (a variable number) and warned that "as little as 6 inches of water can cause your cars to stall." Officials asked the public to heed road-closed signs and avoid driving through standing water.

Rescues and re-entry: King County's emergency management director reported "dozens" of dramatic rescues by helicopter and marine teams but said a precise statewide total is not yet available while local jurisdictions report in. Officials repeatedly declined to give firm timelines for evacuees to return home, saying re-entry will be allowed only when local authorities deem areas safe and that in some places it could be days to weeks.

Funding and next steps: officials said the declaration does not itself guarantee individual assistance; it enables federal personnel to support local response and begins a process of documenting impacts that may support future requests for additional federal aid. State and county teams are collecting damage information to strengthen any later requests for grants or a disaster declaration.

The press conference concluded with officials thanking first responders and urging residents to follow local orders and avoid flooded areas. Officials said they will continue coordinating with FEMA and provide updates as damage assessments and funding discussions proceed.