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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Marina Dunbar

Washington state flood waters receding after days of rescues and evacuations

A flooded neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, on 12 December 2025.
A flooded neighborhood in Burlington, Washington, on 12 December 2025. Photograph: David Ryder/Reuters

Record-breaking flood waters in Washington state have started slowly retreating after days of devastation that saw neighborhoods inundated, emergency rescues from cars and rooftops, and widespread evacuations.

“This is not just a one- or two-day crisis,” Washington’s governor, Bob Ferguson, said during a press briefing. “These water levels have been historic, and they’re going to remain very high for an extended period of time.”

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