A wall of warm Pacific moisture has slammed into Washington today, and it is hitting hard. I am confirming an AR5 atmospheric river, the highest tier, is dumping 2 to 10 inches of rain from coast to crest. Rivers are rising fast. Lowlands are flooding. Hillsides are moving. Travel is dangerous, and the Washington State Department of Transportation is in full emergency mode.
An AR5 slams Washington
This is a classic atmospheric river, but supercharged. The air is loaded with ocean heat and water vapor. The snowline is high. That means more rain reaches the ground instead of falling as snow, which speeds runoff and fuels landslides.
Major waterways, including the Carbon, Cedar, Elwha, and Snohomish, are pushing toward near record levels. That pressure spreads across the road network. Water pools on pavement. Culverts clog with debris. Slopes fail at weak points.
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Turn around, do not drive through flood water. Even a foot of moving water can carry a car off the road.
WSDOT moves to Level 1 emergency response
Washington’s emergency operations center is now at Level 1. That is the top alert. WSDOT is directing closures, pilot cars, detours, and debris clearance in real time. Crews are blocking off high risk zones before the damage breaks through. The goal is simple, keep people alive and protect core infrastructure.
Ahead of winter, the agency prepositioned nearly 1,500 maintenance workers and readied more than 500 plows and sanders. Today those crews are using a “swarm to the storm” playbook. Teams are shifting across regions to the worst hit corridors. They are pumping water from low spots, clearing downed trees, and scraping off mud so engineers can inspect slopes and bridges.
I am also seeing a different kind of tool at work. WSDOT’s creative public messaging, the hand drawn doodles and pop culture nods, is not fluff. It cuts through the noise when seconds matter. Drivers who see, laugh, and remember are more likely to slow down, chain up, and take the right detour. That saves lives.
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Check the WSDOT app or map before you go. If you must drive, carry chains, extra clothing, food, and a phone charger.
Climate science behind today’s deluge
Atmospheric rivers act like fire hoses in the sky. A warmer ocean loads the hose. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. That adds intensity. It also lifts the freezing level, which turns mountain snow to rain. The result is faster, higher floods and more slope failures.
This is not a one off. The long term signal is clear. Heavy rain events are getting stronger. The transportation system built decades ago was not designed for this. Undersized culverts and older bridges become choke points that fail under stress.
Adaptation is urgent. Bigger culverts, stronger slopes, higher bridge decks, and room for rivers reduce risk and protect salmon.
The resilience gap we can no longer ignore
WSDOT can move fast during the storm. But the system needs sustained investment between storms. The agency estimates about 8 billion dollars over the next decade just to keep roads and bridges safe and functioning. On top of that, the fish passage program, replacing outdated culverts that block salmon, is projected near 7.8 billion dollars by 2030.
These are not nice to haves. Today’s flooding shows why. Modern culverts move more water and pass fish. Stabilized slopes hold through long rain. Smart stormwater systems filter pollution and reduce street flooding. Every dollar cuts future closures and repair bills, and it protects communities downstream.
What travelers should know right now
If you are in a flood prone area or near steep slopes, avoid nonessential trips. If you must travel:
- Plan extra time and expect closures and detours.
- Never drive past a closed gate or roadblock.
- Watch for standing water, rocks, and downed trees.
- Keep distance from work zones, crews are moving fast with heavy equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AR5 atmospheric river?
It is the top category of atmospheric river. It delivers extreme moisture and very heavy rain over hours to days.
Why are landslides so common during this event?
Soils are saturated, the freezing level is high, and rain is intense. Water weakens slopes. Gravity does the rest.
How is WSDOT keeping roads safe?
Crews are closing dangerous stretches, clearing drains, removing debris, and guiding traffic through safer routes. Engineers are checking slopes, bridges, and culverts as water drops.
Is this linked to climate change?
Yes. Warmer air and oceans increase moisture and raise the snowline. That boosts flood risk and landslides during strong storms.
What can reduce damage in the future?
Bigger culverts, stronger slope protections, raised bridge approaches, green stormwater systems, and giving rivers more room. These upgrades also help salmon and water quality.
Conclusion
This AR5 is a stress test, and Washington is feeling every pulse of it. WSDOT’s early prep, rapid redeployment, and sharp public messaging are holding the line where they can. But the storm is also a warning. The climate is changing faster than our roads. We need to build for the water that is coming, not the water we remember.
