What is the difference between a flood watch and a warning?

A flood watch means flooding is possible. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to. A flash flood warning is the most urgent and means move to higher ground now.

Is it safe to drive through flood water?

No. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car, so turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC

FLOODING · WASHINGTON

Washington Floods

Current flood and flash-flood warnings for Washington from the National Weather Service. Active warnings are mapped by the area each one covers.

CURRENT STATUS2 active warnings

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ANSWER FIRST

Current flooding in Washington (2)

Washington has 2 active flood warnings right now.

#Hazard / eventSeverityLocationSourceUpdated

1Flood WatchFlood Watch issued September 12 at 12:00PM PDT until September 13 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WAHighOkanogan Highlands; Wenatchee Area; Okanogan Valley; Waterville Plateau; Central Chelan County; Western Chelan County; Western Okanogan CountyNWSSep 13, 2026Upcoming 2Flood WatchFlood Watch issued September 12 at 12:00PM PDT until September 13 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WAHighChelan, WA; Douglas, WA; Ferry, WA; Okanogan, WANWSSep 13, 2026Upcoming

FloodingHigh

Flood Watch issued September 12 at 12:00PM PDT until September 13 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Okanogan Highlands; Wenatchee Area; Okanogan Valley; Waterville Plateau; Central Chelan County; Western Chelan County; Western Okanogan County

NWSUpcoming

FloodingHigh

Flood Watch issued September 12 at 12:00PM PDT until September 13 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Chelan, WA; Douglas, WA; Ferry, WA; Okanogan, WA

NWSUpcoming

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Event statusHighElevatedAdvisory

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a flood watch and a warning?: A flood watch means flooding is possible. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to. A flash flood warning is the most urgent and means move to higher ground now.
Is it safe to drive through flood water?: No. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car, so turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth.

CONTEXT

About flooding in Washington

A flood watch means flooding is possible; a flood warning means it is happening or imminent. Flash flood warnings are the most urgent and call for moving to higher ground right away.

Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. Turn around rather than drive through water of unknown depth. As little as a foot of moving water can carry away a car.

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