Record Rains Submerge Washington, Forcing Mass Evacuations

Torrential rains have caused record flooding across western Washington state this week. The severe weather has forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Major rivers overflowed their banks, swallowing roads and isolating communities. Emergency crews are performing high-water rescues as water levels continue to rise. The flooding follows an intense "atmospheric river." This weather pattern is a long, concentrated band of moisture in the sky that acts like a fire hose, dumping huge amounts of rain. Officials warn residents to avoid floodwaters and follow all evacuation orders. The full scale of the damage is not yet known.