"The flooding levels we're looking at are potentially historic in nature," Gov. Bob Ferguson said Thursday afternoon, urging people to listen to official advice and follow evacuation orders.

Washington state is under a state of emergency from a barrage of torrential rain that's sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused mudslides to close highways and trapped people in floodwaters

Following a very wet pattern last week, AccuWeather forecasters warn that additional rain is on the way for the Northwest this week that will heighten the risk for widespread flooding.

Heavy rain​ has triggered flooding, rescues and road closures in Washington state, with Gov. Bob Ferguson declaring a statewide emergency​.

An atmospheric river, whose moisture spanned a remarkable 7,000 miles across the Pacific from the Philippines to the Pacific Northwest, caused record river levels and destructive flooding across Washington state this week.

Widespread evacuations and emergency repairs to flood-control systems helped the state of Washington avoid any reported deaths during record flooding this week, though local officials warned that swollen rivers and another round of rain would delay the recovery.