Thousands flee flooding in western Washington
Up to 13 inches of rain reported in some areas, with more on the way
Every river and stream in western Washington threatens to crest
Authorities call for voluntary evacuation of 25,000 south of Tacoma
Amtrak suspends service between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon
(CNN) -- Historic floods in western Washington have pushed thousands to evacuate, caused the closure of a major interstate and threatened to crest every river and stream in the area, according to authorities.
Rescue boats are sent out in Pierce County, south of Seattle, on Wednesday.
1 of 3 As much as 13 inches of rain had fallen in some areas in western Washington on Wednesday, the National Weather Service office in Seattle, Washington, said.
The situation has been exacerbated by unseasonably high temperatures that have caused a large amount of snow to melt.
"We have had a lot of heavy rain fall, and with the melted snow we have, rivers have breached the all-time record high," said Danny Mercer, a forecaster with the Seattle office of the National Weather Service.
"The rain will not stop until [Thursday] morning, so the flooding is going to continue for the next couple days."
The heavy rains began on Monday and caused authorities to close a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in a rural section of Lewis County, according to the Washington State Emergency Management Center.
Authorities have also issued a voluntary evacuation for 25,000 people around the city of Fife, about five miles south of Tacoma.
Amtrak suspended service between Seattle and Portland and other areas in Washington because of the threat.
Service could be suspended as long as two days, a move that could affect about 3,000 travelers, said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham.
