SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com)- Skagit County Emergency Management has issued immediate evacuation orders for people in and around the 100-year flood plain.

Residents can use the county’s interactive 100-year floodplain map to find their property and see what ZIP codes are under evacuation. The flood plain is indicated on the map by yellow/orange.

The county is also telling anyone in downtown Mount Vernon to evacuate immediately. First responders began evacuating around noon, starting in West Mount Vernon and North of College Way.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Skagit River Basin through late Friday night due to potential levee and dam failures. That includes parts of Mount Vernon, Burlington, La Conner, Edison, Conway and Stanwood.

Historic flooding is occurring in the Skagit and Sauk Rivers and residents are warned to go now – Do Not Wait. Some roads may be covered with water – plan a route to high ground away from the river immediately.

The Mount Vernon Fire Department announced Thursday that the Division Street Bridge to and from West Mount Vernon is closing at 6 pm.

Residents can seek shelter in several places, including Concrete High School, Family Promise at Central United Methodist Church and the Bethany Covenant Church Red Cross Shelter.

Vehicle parking is available at the Silo Park parking lot, the parking lot behind Superior Building and the Concrete Community Center. Additionally, RV parking is available at the Bakerview Park parking lot in Mount Vernon and the Skagit Speedway. You can find addresses for those shelters on the county’s website.

Shelter for livestock is available at the Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Grounds and residents can contact Skagit Animals in Need at info@skagitanimalsinneed.org or on its Facebook page for assistance.

Those in need of sandbags should reach out to the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management at dem@co.skagit.wa.us or by calling (360) 416-2090   

All non-essential government services have been closed on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Skagit County.

You can view updated river forecasts here or call the River Level Hotline at (360) 416-1404.