SNOHOMISH, Wash. — A 127-year-old riverside building in Snohomish — home to Gagnon Welding 42 Inc. — is now submerged after the Snohomish River crested above 34 feet this week, breaking flood records and forcing local businesses to fight to stay afloat.

Owner Ryan Gagnon waded through knee-deep floodwater inside his welding shop, reflecting on what he calls another “test” in running a small business.

“It’s what God threw at us,” Gagnon said. “So I feel fortunate that my building’s still here.”

Gagnon said this time, the water rose higher than ever before — about 38 inches inside the shop, surpassing the 36 inches measured during the 1990 flood.

“This is about two to three inches taller than it’s ever been flooded before,” he said, showing where the water reached near the entrance

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