Approximately 193,463 customers are without power on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. ET, according to USA TODAY's power outage tracker. Oregon, Washington's southern neighbor, is also grappling with power outages.

Thousands of people are without power in Washington and a flood watch is in effect for Seattle on Wednesday as the worst of the heavy rain and gusty winds smack the state today. FOX Weather Correspond

At 2:42 a.m. on Thursday, the NWS Portland OR issued an updated flood watch valid from 4 a.m. until Saturday 4 p.m. The watch is for South Washington Coast, Willapa and Wahkiakum Lowlands, Willapa Hills,

Drier weather is coming, but flooding effects are likely to continue for days across portions of western Washington state and northwestern Oregon.

Washington state residents are bracing for possible mudslides and levee failures from floodwaters that are expected to be slow to recede.

While the torrential downpour caused by an atmospheric river has slowed down, rivers and waterways continue to rise and flood in the state.

As flooding in Washington continues to cause people to leave their homes, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the coming week.

Gov. Bob Ferguson and other local leaders took questions in Whatcom County Wednesday afternoon about the flooding impacts and recovery efforts.