Western Washington residents along the Skagit and Snohomish rivers could face “catastrophic” and life-threatening flooding Thursday from the week’s heavy rainfall, National Weather Service officials said.

Officials ordered evacuations for parts of Orting in Pierce County, Ebey Island in Snohomish County, and Skagit County in the 100-year floodplain. An estimated 100,000 Washington residents could face additional evacuation orders because of rapidly rising floodwaters, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office said Wednesday afternoon.

Ferguson declared a state of emergency and said he would be requesting federal funding to assist in flood recovery. He thanked first responders and issued a plea for the public: “If you receive an evacuation order, please, please follow that order. It is critical for your

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