Flooding in the Pacific Northwest

Photo: depositphotos

Heavy rains brought by an atmospheric river from the Pacific Ocean have caused flooding in several rivers and streams in the Pacific Northwest. Meteorologists are warning that the effects of the flooded rivers will be felt for several more days.

Authorities also had to evacuate many residents in Oregon and Washington states on Thursday. A similar situation prevailed in British Columbia, Canada. By far the most serious situation is in Washington state, where around one hundred thousand people have been ordered to evacuate.

Evacuation orders were issued for people living south of Seattle and Tacoma. Aerial images showed water flooding farmland and gradually spreading into residential areas. A spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Emergency Management said there were no reports of casualties or missing persons as a result of the flooding.

In neighboring British Columbia, parts of the city of Abbotsford, near Vancouver, have been flooded since Thursday, threatening hundreds of residents and flooding many properties.

The storm system brought more than 250 millimeters of rainfall to the area, gradually causing flooding in western Montana and the edge of Idaho. Dryer weather is expected over the coming weekend, but some regions will still face the consequences of flooding.

Source: Aljazeera, Editorial Weathersunshine.com