Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound

In response to the severe atmospheric river event impacting the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. Coast Guard is actively engaged in life-saving missions, ensuring the integrity of the Maritime Transportation System, responding to reports of pollution, and supporting our partner agencies.

Here are some of the actions the Coast Guard continues to take:

⭕️Deployed specialized flood rescue teams to conduct search and rescue and assist with evacuations.

⭕️Established an Incident Management Team at Sector Puget Sound and sent liaisons to FEMA and state emergency operations centers to ensure a coordinated response.

⭕️Continuously assessing our ports and waterways to ensure the Maritime Transportation System remains safe and open.

⭕️Monitoring for any potential pollution from vessels or infrastructure.

We are working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners at the federal, state, and local levels to protect the communities affected by this storm.

Mariners should be vigilant for unusually strong currents and flooding debris in the water. Monitor VHF Channel 16 for the safety broadcasts. Check weather forecasts and the local notice to mariners before getting underway, wear a life jacket, and carry a VHF radio. Cell phones don’t float.

We are always ready to answer the call.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues responding to impacts from the atmospheric river across Western Washington.

✈️ Operations: Coast Guard aircraft from Air Station Astoria and Air Station Port Angeles are conducting search and rescue missions, assessing the Maritime Transportation System, and supporting disaster response. Coast Guard helicopters have rescued six individuals.

🧭 Coordination: An Incident Management Team is established at Sector Puget Sound, with liaisons at FEMA Region 10 and the Washington State EOC.

⚓ Status: Overflights and Aids to Navigation assessments are ongoing.

All ports remain open. Pollution response teams report no spills; three fishing vessels broke free in Snohomish County, and two remain aground with salvage pending. There is no immediate threat of discharge.

⚠️ Mariners: Watch for debris, monitor VHF Channel 16, and check the NWS forecast before getting underway.