Record-breaking flood waters in Washington state have started slowly retreating after days of devastation that saw neighborhoods inundated, emergency rescues from cars and rooftops, and widespread evacuations.

“This is not just a one- or two-day crisis,” Washington’s governor, Bob Ferguson, said during a press briefing. “These water levels have been historic, and they’re going to remain very high for an extended period of time.”

Ferguson confirmed that Donald Trump approved Washington’s request to the president for an emergency declaration.

The flooding followed an exceptionally powerful atmospheric river that dumped more than a foot (30 cm) of rain over parts of western Washington, swelling rivers and saturating the ground. No fatalities have been reported, according to Ferguson.

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