Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Monday following days of severe wind and rain that has led to extensive flooding in parts of the state, shuttering a stretch of Interstate 5, knocking out power and displacing hundreds, writes CNN.

Emergency officials in Whatcom County, which sits along the Canadian border, were conducting search and rescue missions Monday night as more than 500 people were displaced from their homes due to flooding in the north and northeast areas of the county, a news release from the Whatcom County Sheriff"s Office (WCSO) said.

“WCSO’s rescue vehicle was able to reach many residents, and boats were used in places where the water was too deep. These efforts will continue throughout the night”, - the release said. Hundreds of residents were moved to three “quickly established” shelters in the county, officials said.