New Delhi, Dec. 11 -- A new wave of heavy rainfall swept across the Western Washington state region, reeling from a storm that triggered rescues and road closures a day earlier. Residents packed up their valuables and prepared to flee as the level of water in the rivers rose considerably on Wednesday.

According to the Associated Press, in the Pacific Northwest, an atmospheric river was swelling to record levels, with major flooding expected in some areas including the Skagit River, in a major agricultural valley north of Seattle.

Dozens of vehicles were backed up at a sandbag-filling station in the town of Mount Vernon as authorities warned all residents who live within the river's floodplain to be ready to evacuate.

"We're preparing f...