Atmospheric River December 2025: Prepare Your Vancouver WA Home Now

December 2025 Atmospheric River: What Vancouver WA Homeowners Need to Know

A massive atmospheric river stretching 7,000 miles from near the Philippines is pounding Southwest Washington right now. Meteorologists are calling it "the Mississippi River, but in the sky" because of the sheer volume of moisture it carries. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings across Clark County, and this storm system is far from over.

Here's what makes this event significant for your home: the Portland-Vancouver corridor is expected to receive 4.5 to 5.7 inches of total rainfall through Friday. Some areas could see up to 8.5 inches. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, stating "the situation is extremely serious."

What's Already Happened in Clark County

This atmospheric river has already caused significant disruption across our area. Multiple Clark County roads are closed due to flooding, including Northeast 156th Street in Brush Prairie and Northeast JR Anderson Road near La Center. Several regional parks are shut down: Daybreak, Lewisville, Lucia Falls, and Moulton Falls.

The Washougal River reached minor flood stage Tuesday morning. Portland broke its December 9th rainfall record with 1.53 inches in a single day, beating the previous record from 2010. Power outages have affected thousands of customers across the region as high winds damage roofs, gutters, and trees throughout Clark County.

How Much Water Is Hitting Your Roof Right Now?

The numbers are staggering. For every inch of rain that falls, a typical 2,000 square foot roof collects approximately 1,200 gallons of water.

With 5 inches of rainfall from this atmospheric river, your roof will channel over 6,000 gallons of water through your gutter system. That's roughly 50,000 pounds of water that needs somewhere to go.

If your gutters are overflowing during heavy rain, all that water dumps directly against your foundation instead of draining safely away. During a storm of this magnitude, clogged gutters don't just cause minor problems. They cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and fascia rot that costs thousands to repair.

Storm Timeline: More Rain Coming This Weekend

The current atmospheric river began Monday, December 8th and continues through Wednesday. But forecasters warn this isn't over. The National Weather Service shows a 60-80% chance of additional atmospheric river activity between December 11-13, with another round of accumulative rain expected early next week.

That means Vancouver WA homeowners have a brief window right now to prepare before the next wave hits. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday offer the best opportunity to inspect and address gutter issues before more heavy rain arrives.

What to Do Before the Next Wave

Check your gutters immediately. If you can safely look at your gutters from the ground, watch for overflow during rainfall. Water spilling over gutter edges signals a blockage that needs clearing before more rain arrives.

Extend your downspouts. Water should discharge at least 4-6 feet from your foundation. With this much rainfall, inadequate downspout placement can saturate soil and damage your foundation.

Clear debris from storm drains. Leaves and debris blocking street drains cause water to pool in yards and driveways. Take a few minutes to clear any visible blockages near your property.

Inspect between storms. Use the dry periods to check for signs you need gutter repair: sagging sections, separated joints, or water staining on siding.

Why Professional Gutter Service Matters During Storm Season

December storms don't wait for convenient timing. When atmospheric rivers stack up like they are this week, you need gutters working at full capacity before each wave arrives. Fall leaves have been accumulating for months, and most homeowners haven't cleaned their gutters since before Thanksgiving.

A professional gutter cleaning removes the debris you can't see from the ground: decomposed leaves packed in downspouts, moss buildup slowing water flow, and sediment blocking outlets. This hidden buildup is exactly what causes catastrophic overflow during 5-inch rainfall events.

Seasons Cleaning Services provides comprehensive gutter cleaning that includes clearing all debris from gutters and downspouts, flushing the system to ensure proper flow, and inspecting for damage that needs repair. We serve Vancouver WA and all of Clark County, and we understand the urgency that Pacific Northwest storm season demands.

If you noticed signs of winter gutter damage or your gutters overflowed during this week's storms, don't wait for the next atmospheric river to cause more damage.

Vancouver WA homeowners can schedule gutter cleaning with Seasons Cleaning Services to prepare their homes before the next storm system arrives. With more rain forecast for this weekend and next week, now is the time to act.

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