NEED TO KNOW
- A couple’s home was swept away due to the recent flooding in Washington state
- Video of the incident shows the Whatcom County house drifting away from the surging water of the Nooksack River
- A state of emergency has been declared in the area, with tens of thousands of people ordered to evacuate amid the historic rains
A “kind” and “hardworking” couple’s home was completely swept away due to the recent floods in Washington state.
A video of the incident shared by local outlet Komo News on Friday, Dec. 12, shows a house in Whatcom County drifting away from the surging water of the Nooksack River.
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Emily Treadaway, a friend of the couple, has since set up a GoFundMe page to “provide urgent financial support during this overwhelming and heartbreaking time.”
“In the middle of the night, our neighbors Sarah and Mike experienced every homeowner’s worst nightmare,” Emily wrote. “Due to sudden and severe river flooding, their home was completely swept away.”
“There was no time to gather belongings, documents or necessities. They made it out alive with only their animals and the clothes on their backs. Everything else was lost,” she continued.
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Emily then explained that Sarah and Mike are “longtime members of the community” who she described as “kind, hardworking people who have always shown up for others.”
“While we are profoundly grateful they survived, they are starting from nothing,” the local added.
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According to Emily, the couple is currently staying at a hotel. She said Sarah and Mike’s “days ahead are uncertain” and they are in need of food, clothes and other basic necessities “as they work to stabilize and determine next steps.”
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As of Saturday, Dec. 13, the GoFundMe raised more than half of its $100,000 goal.
Days of constant rain in Washington have triggered historic flooding, stranding families on rooftops and submerging vehicles, per NPR.
Washington remains under a state of emergency, and about 78,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, according to CBS News.
Gov. Bob Ferguson urged residents to follow any and all evacuation notices in a statement shared on X on Thursday, Dec. 11.
“I understand that many in our state have experienced significant floods in the past,” he wrote. “However, we’re looking at a historic situation expecting 2 feet higher than record flood level. If you have instructions to evacuate from your local authorities, please evacuate.”
More rain is expected to hit parts of the state on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14, lasting until Wednesday, Dec. 17, KUOW reported.
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