Emergency declared in flooding

Heavy rains from a strong Pacific storm claimed one life as an elk hunter was swept away in the swollen Cowlitz River. The National Weather Service issued “record severity” flood warnings for rivers northeast of Seattle, and National Guardsmen were dispatched to rescue residents cut off by rising waters.

Gov. Chris Gregoire declared a state of emergency for 18 counties, authorizing state emergency management officials to coordinate assistance to counties in the flood path.

Residents of low-lying areas were encouraged to move to higher ground, as some rivers were expected to surpass flood stage by more than 10 feet. They included the Snohomish River near Monroe and the Skykomish River near Gold Bar.