A person died early Tuesday morning after their vehicle plunged into deep floodwaters in rural Snohomish County, marking the first reported fatality since historic flooding began devastating western Washington last week.
Emergency crews responded to the 6600 block of Marsh Road in Snohomish at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday following reports of a vehicle submerged in floodwaters.
Snohomish County Fire District 4 officials said when crews arrived at the scene, a rescue swimmer entered the water and removed one victim from the submerged vehicle. Crews immediately began CPR, but the person was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said the driver had reportedly driven past posted road closure signs at Lowell Larimer Road and Marsh Road, continuing northbound on Marsh Road into an area of flooded roadway.
“The vehicle left the roadway and entered a lower farmland or ditch area containing approximately six feet of water,” sheriff officials said.
The victim is believed to be a 33-year-old man, though no other information about his identity has been released pending family notification.
Officials said it remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol were contributing factors to the incident. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine what led the driver to bypass road closure signs.
The death comes as another round of heavy rain and wind was forecast for Tuesday night that could cause additional river flooding through Wednesday, compounding the already dangerous conditions across the region.
Officials warned people to abide by posted signage during emergency situations, emphasizing that road closure signs exist to protect lives during hazardous conditions.
The incident highlights the deadly consequences of ignoring evacuation orders and road closures during flood events. While floodwater may appear shallow or passable, the depth and current can be deceiving and fatal.
Six feet of standing water represents enough depth to completely submerge most passenger vehicles. Once water reaches the windows, escape becomes extremely difficult as pressure prevents doors from opening and electrical systems fail.
The 1:30 a.m. timing means the driver was traveling in darkness, making it impossible to judge water depth or see where the roadway ended and the flooded ditch area began. Nighttime flooding creates particularly treacherous conditions.
The lower farmland and ditch area the vehicle entered would have been invisible under six feet of water. Agricultural areas along rivers often include drainage ditches several feet deep that become hidden hazards during floods.
Rescue swimmers face significant risks entering floodwater to reach victims. Beyond the obvious drowning danger, floodwater contains debris, contaminants, and swift currents that can trap or injure rescuers.
The immediate CPR response shows emergency crews did everything possible to save the victim’s life. However, submersion in cold water even for a few minutes can prove fatal, particularly if the victim was unable to escape the vehicle.
The road closure signs the driver bypassed were placed specifically because officials knew the area was impassable. Ignoring these warnings transformed a preventable situation into a tragedy.
The unknown role of drugs or alcohol awaits toxicology testing that typically takes weeks to complete. Impaired judgment could explain the decision to drive past multiple warning signs into obviously dangerous conditions.
The 33-year-old victim’s age suggests someone in the prime of life with potentially decades ahead. One decision to ignore road closures ended in death within minutes.
The forecast for additional heavy rain Tuesday night meant conditions were expected to worsen rather than improve. Anyone traveling during this period faced heightened risks as rivers continued rising.
Emergency managers repeated warnings to obey road closure signs, knowing this death might not be the last if people continue taking unnecessary risks during the flooding.
