A flood emergency is underway in western Washington as a second surge of heavy rain is causing rivers across the region to rise.Many are expected to crest on T

An estimated 100,000 Washington residents could face evacuation orders because of rapidly rising floodwaters, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office said Wednesday afternoon.

The U.S. National Weather Service is predicting historic flooding for Skagit County. Upriver communities, including Rockport, Hamilton, Marblemount, and Concrete, are recommended to evacuate to high ground as soon as possible.

SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — Potential record floods are threatening Skagit County as the Skagit River is expected to wreak havoc on the valley over the next two days, and an aging dike system has people nervous.

Authorities have told everyone within the Skagit River's 100-year floodplain to evacuate ahead of rapidly rising floodwaters. Communities including Burlington, La Conner, Lyman and Hamilton, as well as parts of Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley,

Historical newspaper accounts archived by Skagit County trace flooding in the region back to the late 19th century, long before modern flood control measures were in place.

People who live near the Skagit River have been asked to evacuate as forecasts predict record-level flooding over the next two days.

Major flooding is expected in Skagit County from Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening. According to a news release from the county Department of Emergency Management, the Skagit River is forecast to crest at 40.

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management recommends anyone living in the 100-year floodplain to evacuate.