14 Washington counties under flood watch. How’s it different from flood warning?
When heavy rainfall hits Washington, it can result in rising water levels in creeks, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
When this happens, the National Weather Service can issue a number of alerts to prepare community members for potential flooding.
An atmospheric river-fuelled storm recently swept into the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy rains and snowfall that’s resulted in flooding, road closures and emergency evacuations across much of Western Washington.
As of Thursday, Dec. 11, a total of 14 Washington counties were under a flood watch, while five counties in Washington were under a flood warning.
Here’s what that means:
What parts of Washington are under a flood watch?
“Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible” in more than a dozen counties across northwest and west central Washington, according to the National Weather Service.
According to the weather service, the following Washington counties have been placed under a flood watch until the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12.
- Clallam
- Grays Harbor
- Island
- Jefferson
- Kitsap
- Mason
- San Juan
- Skagit
- Whatcom
- King
- Lewis
- Pierce
- Snohomish
- Thurston
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the weather agency said, adding that “urban areas” are also at risk of flooding. “Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain.”
What counties are under a flood warning?
On Thursday, the weather service put a flood warning in place for up to five Washington counties — later reducing the number of counties covered under the warning to two.
The flood warning will remain in effect in King County until further notice.
Moderate to major flooding was occurring at a number of rivers, the weather service said, including the Nooksack, Puyallup, Satsop and Snoqualmie rivers.
“Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas, the National Weather Service said, urging drivers to “turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads.” “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the agency said.
Are flash floods possible in Washington?
The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood watch for parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties, warning of the “potential failure of the levees and dives of the Skagit River below Sedro-Wooley to the mouth of the Skagit River.”
“Extensive flooding of streets, homes and farmland will be possible,” the weather service said.
What’s the difference between a flood watch and warning?
The National Weather Service said it issues a flood watch “when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event” — such as flooding — to occur.
A flood warning is issued when “conditions are favorable for flooding,” the weather service explained on its website. “It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.”
In cases when a “specific weather event” in the forecast “may become a nuisance,” the weather agency said, it issues a flood advisory.
“A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning,” the weather service explained. “However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM.