7:10pm. The Governor of Washington has declared a state of emergency.  Dr. Cliff Mass is an expert on the subject and has been writing timely updates. Let me refer you to his blog .  -- 2:30pm PST -- The NWS has upgraded its national flood forecast for the next seven days. Color code: Pink = catastrophic flooding. In much of this area, the rivers will break the previous record stages. At least two rivers will break the records by five feet! Dark blue = considerable (by geography) flooding.  Light blue = limited flooding.  If you live in thee areas, I urge you to keep up on the latest information and, if you live in the pink or dark blue areas, be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. 

The NWS forecast for the Northwest shows a wet week ahead. The rain/snow is needed in many areas. 

Flash flood "high risk" forecasts are rare but they account for a greatly disproportionate number of flash flood deaths.  The area Northern California outlined in purple has a high risk of flash flooding Thursday and Thursday night. It is a good time not  to travel and to stay -- to the extent possible -- on higher ground.  The area in red has a "moderate" risk of flash flooding tomorrow and tomorrow night.  This is part of a larger area where flooding is possible the next seven days.  Here's the forecast rainfall for the next seven days.  Please note that, unlike the previous forecasts of the rain/snow from this "atmospheric river," the heavy rains extent south into the Sierra. There will be heavy snow in the higher elevations.  Zooming out, here's the forecast precipitation through next Wednesday. Please note that moderate to heavy forecast rains extend into the L.A. Basin.