One person killed after drowning on flooded road amid historic inundation, levee failures across Washington

Levee breaks amid life-threatening flooding

EVACUATION ZONE: FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is in King County, WA where a levee broke amid life-threatening flooding. Evacuation orders have been issued throughout the area.

SNOHOMISH, Wash. – A man drowned after he drove his car onto a flooded road, just south of Snohomish, Washington, as the state grapples with the aftermath of historic flooding.

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Department said the driver apparently drove past a posted road closure sign and quickly became submerged in at least six feet of water around 1:30 a.m. local time.

SECOND LEVEE FAILURE IN WASHINGTON AS LATEST ATMOSPHERIC RIVER SLAMS STATE JUST DAYS AFTER HISTORIC FLOODING

SNOHOMISH, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 14: In an aerial view, a person stands atop of property engulfed by floodwater on December 14, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. Atmospheric rivers are expected to continue in the coming days as northern Washington continues reeling from historic flooding late last week. Mass flooding along the Pacific Northwest caused historic flooding, tens of thousands of evacuations, and dozens of Coast Guard rescues.  

(Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The driver, a 33-year-old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is the first reported death associated with the historic flooding in Washington, which began last week after days of relentless rain from an atmospheric river caused widespread river flooding across much of the western part of the state.

The flood threat has renewed as another atmospheric river has begun pounding the region. At least two levees have failed across King County since Monday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Seattle issued a Flash Flood Warning for part of southwestern King County early Tuesday morning, after the office said county officials reported that levees around the White River in the city of Pacific, Washington were failing.

Another levee failed Monday afternoon along the Green River in Tukwilla, some 20 miles north of the Pacific, and repairs are underway. No injures have been reported associated with either levee break.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson said, "It's [flooding] a crisis of significant proportion."

The governor said the state is already working to obtain emergency support for the 14 counties impacted by flooding. The governor said the state is moving $3.5 million for short-term relief in the interim.

Gov. Ferguson said he is also working with the state House and Senate on legislation to get additional resources.

"For Washingtonians who are directly impacted, I want you to know we're doing everything we possibly can to get you help right away," Gov. Ferguson said on social media.

The Snohomish and Skagit rivers are expected to reach major flood stage by Tuesday night.

Last week's flooding resulted in numerous highway closures, evacuation orders for thousands of residents and dozens of emergency rescues throughout the state.

Gov. Ferguson issued a State of Emergency last Wednesday and President Trump approved Washington's Emergency Declaration, allowing FEMA to help the state with disaster relief.

Check for updates on this developing story.