The United States Army
12/11/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/12/2025 02:44
National Guard mobilizes in support of floods in Western Washington
[Link] Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard, talks during a press conference with Gov. Bob Fergueson, Washington and Robert Ezelle, Director of Washington Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray, Wash., Dec. 10, 2025. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 25-07 on Dec. 10, authorizing the use of the Washington National Guard in response to flooding in Western Washington. (Photo Credit: Joseph Siemandel) VIEW ORIGINAL
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - As catastrophic flooding continues to cause damage across the state, the Washington National Guard will mobilize up to 300 personnel to help local agencies respond to the ongoing crisis.
"There will be significant impacts following this disaster. I want to thank the governor for signing an emergency proclamation, which allowed us to get our Washington National Guard personnel ready to support those affected," said Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 25-07 on Dec. 10, authorizing the use of the Washington National Guard. Guard members will assist with evacuation efforts, staff traffic control points and support sandbag operations. Army National Guard helicopter crews also may be used to support search-and-rescue missions.
Washington National Guard members have responded to numerous flood events in recent years, including incidents in Lewis (2007, 2008, 2009, 2022), Skagit (2021), Snohomish (2021) and Spokane (2015, 2016) counties.
The Washington National Guard is the state's proven and reliable force, comprising Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from communities across Washington who stand ready to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
The United States Army published this content on December 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 12, 2025 at 08:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]