An arctic air blast is sweeping south from Canada, spreading into the northern United States. Meanwhile, residents of the Pacific Northwest are bracing for possible mudslides and levee failures as floodwaters slowly recede.

"The flooding levels we're looking at are potentially historic in nature," Gov. Bob Ferguson said Thursday afternoon, urging people to listen to official advice and follow evacuation orders.

Heavy rain​ has triggered flooding, rescues and road closures in Washington state, with Gov. Bob Ferguson declaring a statewide emergency​.

Pacific Northwest residents are bracing for another round of heavy rain, flooding and evacuations after a powerful storm clobbered the region a day earlier. The National Weather Service says rivers across the western part of Washington were on the rise Wednesday and some areas in the Cascade

Spruce Hill Winery, a family-owned operation that specializes in producing small-batch wines sourced from the Pacific Northwest, will open a tasting room in Gig Harbor in mid-January.

The Pacific Northwest is expected to see up to seven inches of rain this week, as the eastern United States braces for arctic cold.

Heavy rain continued to fall over parts of the state, prompting rising rivers, road closures, water rescues, and suspension of Amtrak trains between Seattle and Vancouver.