Western Washington flooding and response, for Amazon, the Red Cross, and ZumaPress
January 23, 2026

Water from the flooded Snoqualmie River covers the roadway at NE 124th Street near Duvall, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.

Over the course of a week in December, I photographed the aftermath of catastrophic flooding across western Washington state for a variety of clients. From closed roads to inundated houses and RVs to cleanup efforts and the logistics of moving supplies to affected areas. 

An RV is nearly totally submerged by flood waters from the overflowing Skykomish River on a farm near Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Rafa Castro helps clear out a flooded garage in Adrian Zuniga's home as water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, floods a neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
Mario Rincon and son Daniel, 2, look at water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, surrounding their home in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A house stands in flood water from the Snoqualmie River near Carnation, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
People look out at the flooded Snohomish River in downtown Snohomish, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Water from the flooded Snoqualmie River partially covers a roadside plumbing billboard at E Woodinville Duvall Road near Duvall, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Trucks and other vehicles stand in water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, near Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
Rafa Castro (right) and homeowner Adrian Zuniga clear out the garage as water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, floods a neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A rainbow-colored oil slick is visible as water from the flooded Gages Slough and the Skagit River floods State Route 20 in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region causing widespread flooding throughout western Washington.
A hot tub enclosure stands askew in water from the flooded Gages Slough, a tributary of the Skagit River, near Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Earlier in the morning, authorities ordered residents to evacuate the town as flood waters began to rise. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels. The governor has declared a state of emergency and today, the US government declared the flooding a federal disaster.
A man rides a bicycle through flood waters from the Skykomish River inundating a portion of downtown Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
Washington governor Bob Ferguson discusses disaster relief with local officials in Everson, Washington, USA, on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025. The area experienced catastrophic flooding after a series of atmospheric rivers hit the region.
Driver Darrell Nichols unloads pallets of disaster relief supplies donated and shipped by Amazon to Whatcom County in Everson, Washington, USA, on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025. The area experienced catastrophic flooding after a series of atmospheric rivers hit the region.
Sandbags are used to prevent flood waters from entering businesses as the Skykomish River inundates a portion of downtown Sultan, Washington, USA, on Thu., Dec. 11, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region. Forecasts said that many rivers in the Pacific Northwest would reach catastrophic flood levels and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
Disaster relief supplies donated and shipped by Amazon to the American Red Cross to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, are seen in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
American Red Cross volunteers receive disaster relief supplies to be given to those affected by the December 2025 Western Washington floods, in a warehouse in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Dec. 16, 2025. The floods, which occurred after a series of atmospheric rivers caused widespread flooding, displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.
A destroyed deck lays on a hedge along Babcock Road after flooding in Clear Lake, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington.
Cars are covered with mud and debris at a farm on Babcock Road after flooding in Clear Lake, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington.
Damaged furniture and belongings are piled up outside a house after the Skagit River flooded in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Mon., Dec. 15, 2025. A trio of atmospheric rivers caused widespread catastrophic flooding throughout western Washington state.
Water from the flooded Gages Slough and the Skagit River floods State Route 20 in Burlington, Washington, USA, on Fri., Dec. 12, 2025, after a trio of atmospheric rivers drenched the region causing widespread flooding throughout western Washington.
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