Washington state contends with devastating flooding as Midwest braces for arctic blast
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A blast of Arctic air from Canada is spreading into the northern U.S., bringing dangerously low wind chill temperatures, with readings as low as minus 33°F in parts of North Dakota and expected to reach southern states by Sunday.
- The Pacific Northwest is grappling with catastrophic flooding after an atmospheric river dumped over a foot of rain, causing rivers to swell, forcing thousands to evacuate, and prompting numerous water rescues.
- In Washington state, residents like Eddie Wicks experienced rapid water rises leading to dramatic rescues, while emergency officials toured devastated areas, warning that recovery will be challenging, costly, and potentially dangerous.
- Floodwaters are receding slowly but remain high, with ongoing risks of levee failures, mudslides, and additional rain
