Six people and five dogs were evacuated from Marietta early Sunday morning after ice build-up at the mouth of the Nooksack River combined with high tides to flood several homes.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management notified residents of a probable evacuation, and shortly after, homes began to fill with water and cover Marine Drive.
The residents and pets were rescued by boat through a joint effort of the Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom County Public Works, What-Comm dispatch and search-and-rescue volunteers.
Four rescued residents are staying with family or friends, and the Red Cross is sheltering two. The five dogs were kenneled at the Whatcom Humane Society.
“These rescue efforts demonstrate the close coordination that occurs between emergency management staff, patrol deputies, Public Works, What-Comm dispatchers and search and rescue volunteers to assist our residents during times of disaster,” Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick said in a release.
“We are grateful for our dedicated first responders and Search and Rescue volunteers from Summit to Sound and the Whatcom County 4×4 Unit that quickly took lifesaving actions to rescue members of the community,” he added.
An areal flood watch is in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday for San Juan, Whatcom and Skagit counties, according to the National Weather Service. A culmination of ice and snow melt and rainfall may result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Flooding is also expected to impact parks and roads, with isolated road closures expected.
High winds are contributing to the poor conditions on Monday, as loose branches are knocked to the ground, covering some county roads in debris.
“Seeing high winds, standing water, downed trees/power lines, power outages, ice east of the cascades, rain/freezing rain, & potholes from thawing after the deep freeze. Please be cautious & give road crews room!” the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted Monday morning.
Although a wind advisory was lifted at 10 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service warned that high winds would continue into Tuesday, as the next low pressure and cold front move into western Washington. Gusts will range from 30 to 40 mph from King County northward, it said.
Whatcom County Public Works Special Programs Manager Roland Middleton said the county is now settling into a more normal winter storm event.
The county’s River and Flood Division is monitoring the Nooksack River, where most of the flooding is on the lower river. Lower Marietta is flooded and Slater Road is closed, causing traffic backup in Ferndale, Middleton said in a Monday afternoon email.
This story was updated at 3:25 p.m. Dec. 26 to include additional information.
