News

Gov. Ferguson declares state of emergency, requests expedited emergency funding from federal government

Gov. Ferguson declares state of emergency, requests expedited emergency funding from federal government

The Skagit River outside of the Concrete area along Highway 20 on Dec. 11. Courtesy of Andrew Ford Photo: Saga Communications


SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Catastrophic flooding is continuing to threaten communities across Washington, and Governor Bob Ferguson says the next few days will be critical.

Speaking in Mount Vernon today, Ferguson said tens of thousands have already evacuated and warned Skagit River levels could rise two feet above previous records.

The National Weather Service calls the threat “catastrophic,” and up to 100,000 people may need to evacuate.

Ferguson declared a state emergency on Wednesday and activated the National Guard. He’s also asking the federal government for an expedited emergency declaration to unlock FEMA resources.

Washington’s entire Congressional delegation is backing that request. In a letter to President Trump, lawmakers warned of widespread damage, closed highways and more than a dozen rivers forecast to flood. The letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and all ten House members.

Gov. Ferguson says the situation is extremely unpredictable, and the next few days are critical.

“If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please, please, please evacuate,” Gov. Ferguson said.

So far, no deaths have been reported.

Recent Headlines

12 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote on Thursday sided with the recording giant, arguing that the Grammy-winning group never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings and didn't transfer them to anyone else.

12 hours ago in Entertainment

Rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman sells for $15 million

A rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman and also was once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage has been sold for a record $15 million.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker gets Golden Globes’ Carol Burnett Award and Helen Mirren gets DeMille prize

Matthew Broderick presented his wife of nearly 30 years Sarah Jessica Parker with the Golden Globes'Carol Burnett Award for a life of achievement in television at Golden Eve, a ceremony that also added Helen Mirren to the list of legends that have won the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

20 hours ago in Entertainment

David Bowie’s childhood home in London is set to open to the public next year

David Bowie's bedroom could soon be London's newest tourist attraction. The house where the musician grew from suburban schoolboy to rock 'n' roll starman has been bought by a charity that plans to open it to the public.

1 day ago in Community Events, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Lookout, Local, Outdoors

Lifestyle Lookout: Muay Thai, Silent Disco, Birding and Live Music

KGMI's Adam Smith has a bunch of fun activities for you in this week's Lifestyle Lookout.