Washington State has received a federal disaster declaration for the December 2025 flooding that caused widespread damage across Whatcom County, according to the Friday, April 17 daily briefing from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management. The declaration opens pathways to federal assistance programs for property owners, businesses, and local governments that sustained losses. Full information is available through WhatcomReady.org.
The December 2025 floods were among the most significant flood events Whatcom County had seen in years. The Nooksack River and its tributaries overwhelmed banks in the Sumas Prairie and surrounding agricultural communities, flooding farmland and washing out roads. Federal disaster declarations unlock FEMA individual assistance programs, public assistance grants for local governments, and hazard mitigation funding. Property owners who documented losses should retain those records in case application periods open.
On the weather front, skies cleared Friday afternoon after morning clouds and spotty drizzle. Saturday is expected to be stable and slightly warmer. A coastal low is forecast for Saturday night through Sunday but should stall offshore and track south toward California and Oregon. Showers and breezy winds are expected to return by Tuesday-Wednesday before conditions dry out again in the latter half of the week.
The Emergency Operations Center is not activated and there are no active watches, warnings, or advisories in Whatcom County. The briefing also noted a drought declaration from the WA Dept. of Ecology issued April 8 that includes Whatcom County, though the U.S. Drought Monitor does not currently list the county in drought, reflecting a difference in state and federal assessments.
Residents who have not signed up for Whatcom County emergency alerts are encouraged to do so through WhatcomReady. Alerts are free and available by text, email, or phone call. For the latest updates and information on federal disaster assistance, visit WhatcomReady.org.
