MOUNT VERNON — Thousands of people fled their homes Wednesday and Thursday as the Skagit River swelled, its floodwaters pouring directly into their lives.

Some headed for high schools, churches and community centers. Anywhere to escape the rising deluge. Others trudged downtown in Mount Vernon to watch the river creep closer toward the city’s flood walls, a barrier of metal slats and support braces, over which the Skagit is forecast to spill.

The river is predicted to rise through Thursday before cresting at 39 feet Friday morning in Mount Vernon, which would be a record. Authorities have told everyone within the river’s 100-year flood plain to evacuate. NOAA, NWS (Graphic by Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)

Vera and Dave Nunnally watched as the floods rose in 2021. Even then, when th

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