National Guard Mobilizes in Support of Floods in Western Washington

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard, talks during a news conference with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray, Wash., Dec. 10, 2025.

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Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard, talks during a news conference with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray, Wash., Dec. 10, 2025. Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 25-07 on Dec. 10, authorizing the use of the Washington National Guard in response to flooding in Western Washington. Photo by Joseph Siemandel.

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As catastrophic flooding continues to cause damage across the state, the Washington National Guard will mobilize up to 300 personnel to help local agencies respond to the ongoing crisis.

“There will be significant impacts following this disaster. I want to thank the governor for signing an emergency proclamation, which allowed us to get our Washington National Guard personnel ready to support those affected,” said Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 25-07 on Dec. 10, authorizing the use of the Washington National Guard. Guard members will assist with evacuation efforts, staff traffic control points and support sandbag operations. Army National Guard helicopter crews also may be used to support search-and-rescue missions.

Washington National Guard members have responded to numerous flood events in recent years, including incidents in Lewis (2007, 2008, 2009, 2022), Skagit (2021), Snohomish (2021) and Spokane (2015, 2016) counties.

The Washington National Guard is the state’s proven and reliable force, comprised of Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from communities across Washington who stand ready to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure.

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