site.btaBulgarian Foreign Ministry Issues Travel Advisory amid Severe Floods in Washington State

A state of emergency has been declared across the entire US State of Washington due to exceptionally heavy rainfall in recent days, the Situation Centre of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reported on its website on Friday. The ministry advised those planning travel to check the latest road and weather conditions in advance.

Flooding and landslides have closed sections of many major roads in Washington State. According to the National Weather Service, the rainfall is expected to continue over the coming days, with meteorological conditions expected to return to normal after December 17.

The Foreign Ministry advised Bulgarian citizens planning long-distance travel along the affected routes until December 17 to check road and weather conditions in advance, avoid travelling in the areas most affected by flooding if possible, and strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of local authorities.

If assistance is needed, Bulgarian citizens can contact the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles.

Members of the US National Guard went door to door on Friday to evacuate an agricultural town north of Seattle due to severe flooding in the western part of Washington State, AP reported. The floods forced families onto the roofs of their houses, washed away bridges and destroyed homes. Days of torrential rain caused river levels to rise to record or near-record levels, with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson predicting that around 100,000 people will need to be evacuated across the state.