ELI5: Why Washington have high risk of floods?

Imagine your bathtub is Washington state.

• Mountains all around the tub act like funnels. When it rains (or snow melts quickly), all the water rushes down the mountains into the tub (Washington’s valleys and rivers).

• Lots of rain falls in Washington, especially in the western part near the mountains. Think of someone constantly turning on the faucet a little bit.

• Rivers are like drains in the tub, but sometimes they can't drain fast enough. Heavy rain fills the rivers up very quickly.

• Land development (building houses, roads, and parking lots) is like plugging up some of the drain holes in the tub. Rain can't soak into the ground as easily, so more water runs into the rivers, making them overflow.

• Climate change is like someone occasionally turning the faucet on full blast! It can cause heavier rain and faster snowmelt, overwhelming the rivers and drainage systems.