Gov. Bob Ferguson and Sen. Patty Murray visited Mount Vernon on Saturday to see firsthand how the city’s floodwall safeguarded more than 200 downtown buildings during this week’s historic flooding.

Skagit County prepares for potential flooding as Skagit River nears record levels, impacting Mount Vernon and surrounding communities.

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.

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

Communities along the Skagit River, from Sedro Woolley to Mount Vernon, are on high alert as two atmospheric rivers threaten major flooding.Mount Vernon's Mayo

The National Weather Service said there is a high likelihood of wind gusts reaching at least 45 miles per hour, with the potential for stronger gusts in some areas. Cooler temperatures later in the week are expected to lower snow levels, which could reduce flood risk but complicate response and recovery efforts in mountain communities.

Authorities are going door-to-door in South Prairie, Washington, in Pierce County, urging residents to leave their homes immediately as water rises there. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office previously said that at least 25 people have been rescued in the county since Wednesday, including in South Prairie.

The first in what is expected to be a series of damaging storms this week caused power outages, flooding and school closures in parts of Oregon and Washington on Tuesday.